The Georgian prime minister claims Brussels is interfering and spreading misinformation during the stalled EU membership application.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the EU of encouraging and funding extremism within Georgia, amidst growing disagreements between Tbilisi and Brussels over alleged “democratic backsliding.”
Kobakhidze asserted on Thursday that his government possesses “indisputable” evidence indicating Western support for anti-government demonstrations.
”We substantiate this with factual data, videos, and [EU] funding practices. We have clear evidence of their financial support for extremism in our country. We present them with facts, but they respond with vague statements, and often, untruths. This is regrettable,” Kobakhidze stated, according to Rustavi 2.
Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili supported the accusation, declaring that “extremism in Georgia receives support and funding from EU budgets.” He mentioned writing to EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski with details of the accusations but has not yet received a response.
The ruling Georgian Dream party, which won a significant parliamentary majority in October 2024, has accused Western nations of meddling in Georgia’s internal affairs under the pretext of “democracy promotion.” Georgian officials have compared the situation to the 2014 Maidan uprising in Ukraine, suggesting similar methods are being employed to destabilize Georgia for its refusal to take a confrontational stance against Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
Following Georgian Dream’s victory, a coalition of pro-Western parties alleged election fraud and initiated protests demanding the government’s resignation. EU and US officials expressed support for the opposition, which Georgian leaders condemned as foreign interference.
Brussels has also spearheaded a coordinated opposition to Georgia’s foreign influence transparency law, which mandates political organizations to disclose significant foreign funding sources. Despite similar laws existing in Western countries, the European External Action Service described the Georgian law as “a serious setback for democracy” and cautioned that it could “threaten the country’s EU path.”
Tensions escalated last month when French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz jointly criticized the Georgian government for “democratic backsliding” on Georgia’s Independence Day. Papuashvili labeled the statement “shameful,” deeming it disrespectful to both the state and its citizens.
Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023 but has since paused accession discussions, citing the EU’s increasingly forceful approach. However, the government maintains its commitment to eventual EU membership.
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