Georgian Parliament official dismisses European Parliament resolution as “outrageous attempt to divide Georgian society”

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Saturday criticised the European Parliament’s resolution on Georgia, calling it an attempt to divide society and intensify political confrontation within the country.

Makhashvili made the remarks while commenting on the European Parliament’s recently adopted report on Georgia prepared by MEP Rasa Juknevičienė.

He argued that the document did not contribute to constructive dialogue and instead seeks to deepen divisions within Georgian society and between citizens and their elected government.

“It is deeply outrageous to see such a crude attempt to divide society and pit different groups against one another on issues that ought to unite them. Through political segregation, they are trying to intensify confrontation both among various segments of society and between society and the government that the public itself elected”, he said.

The official called it one of the most blatant examples of foreign interference in modern political history, designed to fracture the social fabric and import conflict into Georgia.

“It would be difficult for me to point to a more blatant example of foreign interference - not only in Georgia, but in modern political history more broadly - where there is such a direct attempt to incite different groups within society against one another. Ultimately, what is this process intended to achieve? It is clearly designed to fracture the social fabric. This is an extremely dangerous message. That is why we have spoken out so strongly and drawn particular attention to this issue”, he noted.

Makhashvili further emphasised that the situation was not a routine political disagreement but, in his assessment, a more serious attempt to influence internal dynamics in a way that could weaken societal trust and stability.

“This is not just another routine political attempt to create divisions within society. It is a very dangerous example of foreign interference, one that is explicitly aimed at creating social confrontation and, ultimately, importing conflict into the country”, Makhashvili concluded.

The European Parliament adopted Rasa Juknevičienė’s report on Georgia. The report was approved by 436 votes in favour and 145 against.

The report adopted by the European Parliament discusses sanctions against representatives of the Georgian authorities.

The European Parliament also calls on EU member states to refrain from holding meetings with the ruling Georgian Dream party. The document further discusses sanctions against television broadcasters, including Imedi TV.

In addition, according to the resolution, the European Parliament calls on the Commission to establish a mechanism that would allow civil society activists, journalists and students to retain visa-free access to the European Union.