Georgian PM says politics must be led by patriots, not criminals

During his annual address to Parliament, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday emphasised that individuals with criminal pasts had no place in Georgian politics, calling for a political landscape shaped by patriotism and dignity, not criminality.

In his address, Kobakhidze reiterated his Government’s uncompromising stance on keeping criminal elements out of politics, saying that the country’s political culture must reflect the values of a “dignified Georgian state”.

“We must remind ourselves and society as often as possible of the crimes committed by the previous [United National Movement] Government. We remember the regime that operated in Georgia before 2012. That regime was entirely built on crime - caring for people was never a priority. On the contrary, violating human dignity was a defining feature of their approach, and it was precisely this approach that fundamentally changed after 2012”, the PM said.

“We must recall with concern that some from outside the country wanted such individuals to return to power, and direct pre-election campaign statements were made in this regard. No one, whether advised from outside or inside the country, can force the Georgian people to bring criminals back to power. This is absolutely unacceptable”, Kobakhidze continued.

The PM highlighted the ongoing work of the parliamentary investigative commission, led by Thea Tsulukiani, which was examining crimes committed by the previous UNM administration.

“I want to thank everyone directly involved in the work of the parliamentary investigative commission, especially its chair, Ms. Thea Tsulukiani. A very important process has taken place in the Georgian Parliament. The broader public may often forget the crimes committed under the previous government. Even we, who are directly involved in the political process, may emotionally forget those crimes and their scale that took place before 2012”, he noted.

The Head of the Government thanked the Parliamentary Commission for its work and urged it to conclude with “appropriate results”, reiterating that political accountability and public awareness must remain central.

“Therefore, the process that has taken place and is ongoing in the investigative commission was and is very important, and I believe this commission’s work must conclude with appropriate results - everyone must understand once and for all that there is no place for criminals in Georgian politics. This is a dignified Georgian state where politics should be represented not by criminals but by patriots”, Kobakhidze concluded.