Ruling Georgian Dream party’s official accuses Eurocrats of using visa liberalisation for “blackmail”

Levan Machavariani, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Deputy Chair of the parliamentary faction of the ruling party, on Monday accused Eurocrats of attempting to stir public unrest in Georgia by using visa liberalisation as a tool for blackmail.

In his remarks, Machavariani claimed that the goal was to create a “chaotic environment” to incite a revolution and remove the Georgian Dream party from power.

Machavariani linked these efforts to the ongoing war in Ukraine, stating that despite attempts by figures like Donald Trump to end the conflict, its continuation means that “the interest that existed towards Georgia has not disappeared”.

“Since the war [in Ukraine] continues and no one can predict its end - despite Trump’s attempts to stop it - the geopolitical interest in Georgia remains strong, even growing. That’s why Eurocrats are now weaponising visa liberalisation as a tool to generate public hysteria and tension, ultimately aiming to overthrow the government”, he said.

The official concluded by emphasising that Brussels had realised over the past three and a half years that the Georgian Dream party could not be forced into taking anti-national steps.

The European Commission has sent a letter to Georgia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Botchorishvili, outlining eight recommendations the country must fulfil to avoid jeopardizing its visa-free travel with the EU.

One of the main recommendations is the repeal of the laws on transparency of foreign influence and on the protection of family values and minors.