Enrico Cau, PhD’s Post

⚫️Tomorrow the first session of the “newly elected Parliament” is scheduled in Georgia. ⚫️From November 25 onward, we encourage international partners—policymakers, journalists, and researchers—to describe this development in terms that reflect the constitutional reality, such as: • Self-Proclaimed Parliament / So-Called Parliament / Anti-Constitutional Parliament • Self-Proclaimed Government / So-Called Government / Anti-Constitutional Government Thousands of demonstrators are gathering on Tbilisi’s main avenue to protest against the illegitimate parliamentary gathering scheduled for tomorrow. Reports indicate arrests are expected. We urge the world to watch closely as Georgia faces this critical moment. If Georgian Dream recognizes its parliamentary authority tomorrow, it will violate the Constitution. The Georgian president has formally challenged the election results in the Constitutional Court, and until a final ruling is delivered, the parliament has no legal right to declare its mandates valid. This marks a dangerous turning point in independent Georgia’s history, as several alarming developments converge: ⚫️For the first time, the President has refused to recognize the election results and has not convened the first session. The legitimacy of the elections is being formally challenged in the Constitutional Court, prohibiting the parliament from proceeding until a final ruling is issued. ⚫️Ambassadors will not attend the session, signaling Georgia’s growing isolation from the international democratic community. ⚫️The global democratic community does not recognize the legitimacy of the elections or the new parliament. ⚫️For the first time since the Soviet Union, Georgia will have a one-party parliament, placing it alongside regimes like China, North Korea, and Cuba. ⚫️This is more than a legal crisis—it is the first stage of authoritarianism. Over the past two years, this process has steadily advanced, but the establishment of this parliament will accelerate it. The next stages will unfold quickly, bringing greater harm to all citizens, including Georgian Dream supporters. 🤝Tomorrow is not just a protest—it is a declaration that the people of Georgia refuse to surrender their future to authoritarianism. 🇬🇪 Georgia will stand strong against this Russian-backed regime! #Georgia #Democracy #HumanRights #AntiConstitutionalParliament #FreeGeorgia

Bill Alert! US House Bill HCONRES 27 - Condemning Russia's unjust and arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza who has stood up in defense of democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Russia. Policy: International Affairs Status: Introduced to Senate Full Details: https://lnkd.in/eSHtS9pA Bill 118 H.Con.Res. 27 is a resolution introduced in the US Congress that condemns Russia's unjust and arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza. Kara-Murza is known for his advocacy for democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Russia. The resolution highlights the importance of standing up against human rights abuses and political repression in Russia, and calls for Kara-Murza's immediate release. It...

Russia's role behind the Georgian Dream's reintroduction of the Kremlin-inspired #foreignagentlaw is difficult (mildly speaking) to overlook even for the most sober of pragmatists, and one that analysts should be careful not to dismiss as mere "anti-Kremlin rhetoric." But we also cannot ignore the fact that the crucial parliamentary elections are just a few short months away, and the ruling party will do whatever it takes to maintain its power. How far are they willing to go, and can the controversial "foreign influence" legislation help them achieve this goal? I spoke with The Moscow Times' special correspondent Leyla Latypova about these latest developments in #Saqartvelo, what might come next, and how Russia's involvement may ultimately play out. #Tbilisi #protests #interview Eurasia Group https://lnkd.in/exCvVXPW

On Brazilian Justice de Moreas's order shutting down X: The text of his 51-page decision is far more concerning and sweeping than the headlines suggest. de Moreas’s own words make clear that he is attempting to strike a broader blow against free speech and in favor of authoritarian controls. His opinion does not even try to hide it. He comes right out and points to Brexit and the 2016 election of President Trump as examples, in his telling, of the types of extreme “populist” outcomes that he is attempting to avoid by imposing a new censorship regime in Brazil ahead the country’s elections later this year. But this type of censorship of a political and ideological nature is expressly prohibited by Brazil’s own Constitution. Nonetheless, de Morea argues that free speech on X cannot be allowed to continue because the diversity of political opinions expressed on the site might influence the people of Brazil ahead of their 2024 elections. See op. at 31-32. In other words, de Morea is arguing that free speech is a threat to democracy—a position that is as Orwellian as it is dangerous. The opposite is true. Free speech is democracy’s check on excessive government control. Censorship is the authoritarian’s dream. To dress up his decision, de Morea runs the warmed over playbook of labeling political speech that runs contrary to his own orthodoxy as “misinformation” and “disinformation.” But authoritarians like de Morea are not worried that people will be misled by the political messages they choose to read. He is worried that those messages will be effective. At bottom, this decision is part of a live, ongoing, and global debate between free speech and censorship, between freedom and control. It is imperative that free speech and freedom prevail. Or as the late NY Times editor John Oakes once said, “Diversity of opinion is the lifeblood of democracy. The minute we begin to insist that everyone think the same way we think, our democratic way of life is in danger.” Those are the stakes. (Brendan Carr on X) https://lnkd.in/gM7n9ZBz

The vote of the Romanian people must be ignored, according to the European Court of Human Rights, which upheld the annulment of the results of the first election. The next election is slated for May 18, and while Calin Georgescu is permitted to run again, will the establishment respect the vote? Georgescu is called a far-right extremist for daring to speak out against the globalist narrative. He is firmly against NATO and promoting forever wars. He does not want the neocons to use his country as a “door for a war.” Millions of Romanians agree but their voices have been stifled by the establishment. The Romanian government under President Klaus Iohannis initially called into question Article 146(f) of the Romanian Constitution that demands elections must be legal. Romanian courts declared that RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE was at play and the vote of the people was null and void. The European Court of Human Rights has sided with Romania’s establishment. How could this court have the authority to override Romania’s democracy? Well, all European Union members knowingly or unknowingly agreed to bend the knee to Brussels. The European Court of Human Rights is composed of 46 judges who each represent their respective member state in the Council of Europe. Each member state presents three options for judge selection and one must be female. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe then determines if the three proposed candidates are qualified, and the Parliamentary Assembly elects the judge who best aligns with the overall EU narrative. The people have absolutely no say or vote. So, not only did the Romanian government tell their citizens to ignore the election results, but judges UNELECTED by the Romanian people were able to solidify this gross misjustice. Then, the government acted puzzled that thousands took to the streets to protest, and some questioned whether they should even vote when government plans to install its candidate of choice. Georgescu ran on a platform of ending Romania’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war and repeatedly said it is not their war to fight. The establishment will not permit Romania to remain neutral. He still holds a 38% majority of support over all other candidates but the questions remains whether the establishment will ever allow a true election is such a geographically crucial area for the next world war. https://lnkd.in/e4viUuYR

Fico shuns mounting political crisis, unveils plans to change constitution: excerpt The post Fico shuns mounting political crisis, unveils plans to change constitution appeared first on Euractiv.

Introduction of PRC-like controversial reform bills is raising concerns about democracy in Taiwan. Inside and outside the parliament, protests are intensifying, and experts believe that, in the name of protecting the island from mainland China’s interests, and crackdown of corruption, Taiwan is becoming increasingly authoritarian. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gNR_kU9j #Politics #update #Opinion #Taiwan #China

A tense political situation has developed in Georgia following the government's decision to postpone negotiations on joining the European Union until 2028. This decision has sparked mass protests by pro-European integration supporters, who have filled the square in front of the parliament in Tbilisi and other cities across the country. Demonstrators are expressing dissatisfaction with the policies of the ruling party, "Georgian Dream," and are demanding the resumption of the EU integration course. The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, whose mandate has expired, declared that she will not step down, arguing that the current parliament is illegitimate. She has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court, seeking to invalidate the results of the parliamentary elections due to violations of the principles of universality and secrecy of voting. Zourabichvili emphasized that she will remain in office until a new parliament is formed, which, in her view, will comply with constitutional norms. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of attempting a violent power grab and stated that the government would not allow a repeat of the Ukrainian Maidan scenario in Georgia. He stressed that the decision to suspend negotiations with the EU was made due to the need to prepare the country for the Union's economic requirements. #GeorgiaProtests #EUIntegration #TbilisiDemonstrations #GeorgianDream #SalomeZourabichvili #PoliticalCrisis #IrakliKobakhidze #StandWithGeorgia #DemocracyInGeorgia #FutureInEurope

📢 **Breaking News: Constitutional Court Ruling on Former President Jacob Zuma** Today marks a significant milestone in South African political history as the Constitutional Court has ruled that former President Jacob Zuma is not fit to sit on the political bench of our nation. This decisive verdict upholds the integrity of our democratic institutions and reinforces the principle of accountability at the highest levels of government. While this ruling prevents Zuma from holding a formal political office, it does not preclude him from acting as an adviser and potentially influencing political decisions through proxies. It is crucial for us, as vigilant citizens, to ensure transparency and safeguard our democracy from undue influence. Importantly, unlike the unrest experienced in 2021, this ruling is not expected to incite civil disorder. As the national elections draw near, stability and peace remain paramount. The commitment of all stakeholders to maintaining order during this critical period is commendable and essential for a fair and free electoral process. Let us continue to uphold the values of our Constitution and work towards a future where justice and democracy prevail. #SouthAfrica #ConstitutionalCourt #JacobZuma #Democracy #Elections2024 #RuleOfLaw #Accountability

Propaganda can never be effective as its basis is not truthful but it is based on lies. Publicity commands respect as it is based on truth. https://lnkd.in/gUZvxia5