BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 27. The credentials of Georgia’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) were challenged on substantive grounds during the opening of the 2025 winter plenary session, Trend reports.
The challenge was initiated by Boriana Åberg, a Swedish representative from the European People’s Party (EPP/CD). Åberg described the Georgian Parliament as a “one-party parliament” and expressed concerns that the democratic order in Georgia was being eroded. Her challenge received support from over 30 Assembly members, representing at least five national delegations, meeting the requirements under PACE Rules.
Following procedural protocol, the matter was referred to the Assembly’s Monitoring Committee for a report and to the Rules Committee for an opinion. A final decision will be debated on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 29.
According to the Rules of Procedure, PACE has three options: ratify Georgia’s credentials, refuse to ratify them, or ratify them with restrictions—such as suspending or limiting certain rights of Georgia’s representatives in the Assembly’s activities.
Until a decision is made, members of the Georgian delegation will retain provisional rights equal to other Assembly members but will be barred from voting on matters related to their credentials.
This challenge adds further scrutiny to Georgia’s political climate, as international observers continue to raise concerns about its democratic practices.