PACE Spring session opens with focus on Georgia’s democratic standing

PACE's Spring session opens in Strasbourg with Georgia’s delegation under scrutiny. A key decision on April 10 may determine whether Georgia retains full representation—or joins Azerbaijan with restricted rights in the Assembly.

PACE Spring session kicks off in Strasbourg, and the question of Georgian delegation’s credentials promises to be one of the key topics this week. 

Now all sights are set on April 10, when the Parliamentary Assembly will review its relations with Georgia.

The history of contentious relations goes back to January, when PACE granted Georgia’s delegation only partial recognition, citing democratic concerns and setting conditions for full approval — including the release of political prisoners and guarantees for free and fair elections.

PACE argues that since then, those demands have not been met, and further restrictions on Georgia’s delegation are now on the table.

If the Assembly decides to partially revoke or suspend the delegation’s rights, Georgia will join Azerbaijan as one of only two countries without full representation in PACE.

Members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, including Tea Tsulukiani, Mariam Lashkhi, and others, have already written individually to PACE’s president, requesting the termination of their mandates.

Despite this, Georgian officials insist the delegation is not being dissolved. According to Nikoloz Samkharadze, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the structure remains intact, even if some members are removed.

Copied