Georgian PM: no protest momentum, just 500 foreign agents fueling it

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday dismissed the existence of genuine protest momentum in Georgia, alleging that 500 foreign agents were artificially sustaining unrest, while citing the ruling Georgian Dream party's 82% voter support in the recent elections as evidence of public backing.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze rejected claims of widespread protest sentiment in Georgia following the October 4 local elections, asserting that the ruling Georgian Dream party’s overwhelming electoral success - garnering 82% of votes and over 1.1 million supporters - demonstrates the lack of public unrest.

“In reality, there is no protest in society, and this is confirmed, among other things, by the fact that the ruling Georgian Dream party received 82% of the votes in these elections. We received more than 1,100,000 votes. In such a situation, of course, such artificial attempts at protest have no prospect of success”, Kobakhidze said.

He attributed ongoing protests to the actions of 500 foreign agents attempting to keep the demonstrations alive artificially.

“There are 500 foreign agents through whom they are trying to keep this protest alive like a spark”, he concluded.

On October 4, large-scale protests in Tbilisi escalated into a dramatic confrontation, as a group of radical demonstrators tried to storm the presidential palace. The unrest occurred on the same day Georgia held municipal elections.

Authorities detained at least five opposition figures, including Paata Burchuladze. They are now facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government - a potential offense that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

Government officials described the events as a failed coup attempt orchestrated with foreign backing. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the protests “an attempted overthrow of the constitutional order”.