During the debates held at the session of the Congress of the Council of Europe, based on the assessment prepared on Georgia by the rapporteur Stewart Dickson, members of the Georgian delegation spoke about the political environment in the country and issues related to the development of local self-government. At the session, their positions were presented by Bela Mosia, deputy of the Zugdidi Municipal Assembly, and Gogi Putkaradze, member of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
During the debates, Bela Mosia, representative of the party “For Georgia”, focused on the circumstances which, according to her, affect democratic processes in the country. She reviewed in a political context the ongoing legal proceedings against certain representatives of the opposition spectrum, including the party leader ForGeorgia, and noted that such issues are reflected in political pluralism. The delegate drew attention to media freedom and the case of the arrest of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, and spoke about the need to protect academic freedom.
According to the rapporteur, the involvement of international partners and the activation of the “OSCE Moscow Mechanism” clearly demonstrate that Georgia’s internal processes are an integral part of European security. In his explanation, despite the difficulties that have arisen, the choice of the Georgian people remains unchanged.
“Democracy in Georgia is not finished; the struggle for it continues. Our party firmly believes that, in response to attempts to isolate Georgia, it is necessary to actively use all political spaces – at the local, national, and international levels – in order to protect the European choice of the Georgian people,” stated Bela Mosia.
In his speech, Gogi Putkaradze emphasized that Georgia remains firmly and consistently committed to European values, and that any state reform serves precisely the introduction of these standards. The delegate explained that a fully competitive political environment exists in the country, while the decision of certain parties to boycott is their sovereign choice and not a systemic restriction. He also spoke about media freedom, which operates without any censorship, and referred to the conclusion of the OSCE observation mission, which assessed the 2024 elections as having been held in a free and competitive environment.
Gogi Putkaradze placed special emphasis on freedom of assembly and the protection of public order. According to him, peaceful protest is protected in the country; however, violence and damage to property are unacceptable in any democracy, and it is the state’s obligation to ensure public order within the framework of the law.
At the end of his speech, Gogi Putkaradze categorically rejected the narrative being spread about the so-called “democratic backsliding”. According to his statement, Georgia is going through a politically polarized stage – as many democracies have experienced. Nevertheless, the institutions continue to function and the voice of society is clearly heard.
“Georgia does not claim to be perfect. However, we expect a fair assessment. We remain open to dialogue and constructive recommendations – and not to politically motivated conclusions, because our goal is the same: a stronger, more democratic, and more European Georgia,” stated Gogi Putkaradze.
In the 50th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the following members of the Georgian delegation also participated: Deputy Head of the Delegation, Chairperson of the Legal Issues and Human Rights Protection Commission of the Tbilisi Municipal Assembly, Nino Vardosanidze; Chairperson of the Tbilisi Municipal Assembly, Zurab Abashidze; member of the Gardabani Municipal Assembly, Tamar Khachidze; Mayor of Akhaltsikhe Municipality, Varlam Tsiklauri; and member of the Kutaisi Municipal Assembly, Tekla Meburishvili.
Alongside the issue of Georgia, the Georgian delegates took part in discussions on such pressing topics as the Russian Federation’s aggressive war against Ukraine, the protection of social rights, the prevention of violence against elected officials, the involvement of youth at the local level, and the role of artificial intelligence in municipal governance.