Former President Salome Zourabichvili has sharply criticized the Georgian Dream party’s decision to seek a ban on major opposition forces, calling it an attempt to transform Georgia into a “Russian-style authoritarian regime.”

In a post on social media, Zourabichvili said the move represents “persecution of political opponents,” which she warned undermines democratic pluralism and endangers Georgia’s social cohesion and statehood.

“The regime is systematically imposing new restrictions every day to pave the way for full authoritarian consolidation,” she wrote. “Today, a united and firm voice must be heard from Georgia against the ban on opposition parties: this is unacceptable! Persecuting opponents not only destroys multi-party democracy but also dismantles society and destroys the state. I express solidarity with all opposition forces whose constitutional right to free expression and political participation is being restricted.”

Earlier today, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili announced that the Georgian Dream faction—together with People’s Power and the European Socialists—had submitted a constitutional lawsuit seeking to declare three opposition parties unconstitutional and subject to a ban: the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, and Strong Georgia–Lelo.

Papuashvili added that other parties, including Droa, Girchi – More Freedom, Strategy Agmashenebeli, European Georgia, the Federalists’ Party, and the Republican Party, currently lack the organizational strength or influence to warrant similar action.