A delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (CoE) will carry out a fact-finding mission to Georgia on 24–25 September 2025.

According to a CoE press release, the visit aims to assess the impact of the current political climate on local authorities, with a particular focus on the upcoming local elections scheduled for 4 October 2025.

The delegation will comprise Bernd Vöhringer (Germany, EPP/CCE), President of the Chamber of Local Authorities, and Stewart Dickson (United Kingdom, ILDG), Congress Spokesperson on the Observation of Local and Regional Elections. They will be accompanied by Professor Tania Groppi, an expert in local governance and electoral systems.

During their visit, the delegation will meet with key institutional representatives, including the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission, the First Deputy Public Defender, and the First Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Regional Policy and Self-Government. Meetings are also planned with members of Georgia’s national delegation to the Congress and representatives from the National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia.

In addition, the delegation will hold discussions with members of the media, civil society organizations, and political parties to gain a broader understanding of the pre-election environment.

The Council of Europe underlined that the visit should not be viewed as political endorsement or recognition of the legitimacy or views of any individuals or groups met during the mission.