Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating political situation in Georgia, highlighting the arrests of opposition leaders as a major obstacle to constructive dialogue.
“I deplore the deteriorating political situation in Georgia, with the arrests of opposition leaders which seriously hinders the possibility of dialogue between the country’s political forces,” Cools stated.
He noted the recent announcement by eight opposition parties to boycott the upcoming local elections in October 2025, lamenting that “the conditions for meaningful participation in the local elections in a trust-based environment have still not been met.”
The Congress has called on Georgian authorities to resume inclusive political dialogue at all government levels, involving local authorities, opposition groups, and civil society, to reduce political polarization and restore democratic checks and balances.
In its resolution from March 26, 2025, the Congress urged the Georgian government to guarantee opposition participation rights and create a democratic environment ahead of the elections.
President Cools reiterated this call, urging the government to halt opposition persecution and engage in dialogue to ensure fair local elections, as outlined in Congress Recommendation 476(2022).
