Georgian Parliament Speaker denounces EU messaging, accuses Brussels of supporting marginal radical groups

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday criticised the European Union and its representation in Georgia, accusing Brussels of aligning itself with “hate and violence” through its support - both rhetorical and financial - of domestic radical opposition groups and certain NGOs.

Papuashvili’s comment followed a recent address by an EU Commissioner who urged “the Georgian people” to “be strong, fight for European values, we have hope in you”.

In a social media message, Papuashvili noted that such statements were empowering radical actors in Georgia as this encouragement was swiftly followed by inflammatory rhetoric from opposition leaders.

“Our public has already come to understand that when Brussels addresses the people, they mean a marginal group of radical opposition and NGOs, who, in the name of Europe, and often with European funding, spread hatred and violence, thereby establishing animosity and terror as 'European values'”, the Speaker said.

He further elaborated on this point by highlighting incidents that occurred just hours after the Commissioner's address. Papuashvili noted that Gedevan Popkhadze, a leader of the party associated with Nika Gvaramia, announced casualties for May 26. Subsequently, Mariam Sichinava, a leader of the Droa party, attacked a Member of Parliament with “excessively obscene language and threats”.

“It is alarming that through either its actions or inaction, Brussels and the EU Delegation are increasingly associating themselves with hate and violence”, Papuashvili continued.

He emphasised that the EU was founded as a peace project and warned that the behaviour of certain European politicians and bureaucrats was threatening to undermine that foundational purpose.

“It is crucial for Brussels to clarify whether it considers the hate campaigns and threats waged by its funded actors to be part of ‘European values’, and whether it intends to continue supporting violent and inciting groups”, he concluded.