(Interpressnews.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), is rejecting claims that it supported a critical resolution passed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Porto on July 3.

The resolution, which includes a condemnation of democratic backsliding in Georgia, calls for the release of political prisoners and the holding of new elections.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili dismissed media reports suggesting GD backed the document, calling them “lies and disinformation.” He argued that the delegation would have supported the resolution if not for a “harmful amendment” introduced by Ukraine’s delegation and U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson.

The declaration passed by parliamentarians from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe – the last remaining cross-European security framework – includes a sharp critique of Georgia’s political environment. It expresses concern over deteriorating democratic standards, including increased polarization, restrictions on peaceful assembly and media freedom, politically motivated detentions, and judicial interference.

Also, the declaration urges the GD government to free what are termed “political prisoners”, repeal the “foreign agents” law, and organize new elections.

GD officials, in their response, pointed out that the OSCE had previously validated the October 2024 elections, which officials results indicate GD won by 54%. MP Davit Matikashvili claimed the declaration was based on “false information” and that OSCE observers had praised the vote as transparent and legitimate. He accused Wilson and others of ignoring the facts in order to amplify opposition narratives.

Nonetheless, OSCE delegates supported an amendment introduced by GD MP Nikoloz Samkharadze calling on Syria to revoke its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and reaffirm Georgia and Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This was one of the few points of consensus.

Opposition figures have hailed the OSCE’s stance as a diplomatic blow to the Georgian government. Grigol Gegelia of the opposition Strong Georgia party said the resolution explicitly questions the legitimacy of the 2024 elections and calls for their replacement through democratic means.