Georgian PM alleges external efforts to deepen polarisation

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday expressed alarm over what he claimed were foreign efforts to deepen political polarisation in Georgia, specifically pointing to the United Kingdom’s alleged role through the deep state.

Kobakhidze’s remarks came after the domestic media outlet Prime Time on Monday published exclusive information alleging that the United Kingdom was preparing Georgian opposition activists for the upcoming local self-government elections scheduled for October 4. According to the outlet, the training sessions are taking place in the Baltic states, with Lithuania serving as a key host country.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze highlighted the transparency law, FARA, as well as the grants law and credited these laws with curbing non-transparent funding that previously fuelled polarisation and incitement of hatred.

“The deep state is particularly actively using the United Kingdom to deepen polarisation in our country, which is extremely concerning. We managed to reduce polarisation in Georgia, primarily through the transparency law, the so-called FARA law, as well as the grants' law. Polarisation has been radically reduced because the forces that previously funded polarisation and incitement of hatred in Georgia in a non-transparent manner can no longer operate so freely”, the PM said.

The PM further accused external forces of organising training sessions in Lithuania for radical activists aimed at escalating tensions within the country.

“However, you can see that they have devised alternative methods and are taking radical activists to Lithuania to deepen polarisation, with corresponding training sessions being conducted for them. This is extremely concerning. It is unfortunate when specific European forces are associated with attempts to incite hatred in Georgia. This is truly alarming”, he concluded.