Georgian PM criticises EU bureaucracy over double standards on violence by opposition UNM party

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday accused the European Union and its Ambassador Paweł Herczyński of applying double standards by failing to condemn acts of violence committed by the opposition United National Movement party, particularly against journalists.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze highlighted that violence by the United National Movement was routinely ignored by EU officials, including their Ambassador, even when it targets journalists.

“This is not the first time. When the United National Movement uses violence, neither the EU Ambassador nor the European bureaucracy ever condemns it. For instance, when they use violence against journalists, that too is never condemned”, he said.

The Prime Minister described this selective condemnation as a “classic double standard”, asserting that such behaviour from European bureaucrats had become predictable and deeply regrettable.

“This is a double standard - a classic double standard - and in this case as well, the EU Ambassador is acting according to that same double standard. None of us are surprised anymore. Sadly, this is how low European bureaucracy has fallen today - which is very unfortunate and very regrettable”, the PM concluded.