Georgian PM: ISFED receives UK funding after USAID, deep state remains active
Politics
Irakli Kobakhidze
Photo: Administration of the Georgian Government
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday escalated his criticism of foreign-funded NGOs in Georgia, claiming that the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) - previously accused by the ruling Georgian Dream party of falsifying election data - was now being financed by a British foundation, which he linked to the broader influence of the so-called deep state.
Kobakhidze’s comments followed the United Kingdom Foreign Office’s recent initiative to fund civil society projects ahead of Georgia’s 2025 municipal elections.
“We have previously stated that the deep state has been weakened in the United States. However, on this backdrop, the deep state will try to more actively utilise European bodies to carry out the same processes that were pursued in previous years. For example, we see that ISFED, a non-governmental organisation known for falsification, is now being funded not by USAID, but by a British foundation. This means that the deep state remains active”, the PM said.
Kobakhidze alleged that Western institutions, particularly from the UK, were being used to further external agendas in Georgia under the guise of supporting democracy.
“Still, in previous years, we defended our country’s national interests despite the flawed and non-transparent practice of foreign funding, and we will continue to protect Georgia’s interests moving forward, regardless of such practices”, he noted.
He emphasised that his Government remained committed to protecting the country’s sovereignty and interests in the face of such foreign influence.
“The deep state had malicious intentions toward Georgia, and unfortunately, those intentions remain relevant today. British structures are simply being used as tools for the deep state to push its agenda in Georgia. However, we have our own national interests, and when the interests of the deep state clash with Georgia’s national interests, we will, of course, stand firm in defence of our nation”, Kobakhidze concluded.
