Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen accuses foreign-funded media of influencing Georgia’s internal politics

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday commented on the funding received from European foundations by online media outlets operating in Georgia, some of which have been disseminating disinformation related to various projects, including the Arab investment initiative, highlighting that they openly admit that they are looking for different mechanisms to bring money into Georgia and then use these funds for domestic political purposes.

In his remarks, Kaladze noted that even the President of the United States identified specific organisations that had funded attempts at Government overthrow in various countries, including Georgia.

“Why are you surprised? They openly say they are looking for mechanisms to bring money into Georgia and then direct these funds toward domestic political activities. For years we’ve been saying that money is flowing from abroad into Georgian politics, into television networks, and is used to fuel extremism, polarization, and attempts to divide society. Were we lying? Didn’t we present concrete facts to the public? The US President himself named the organisations that for years financed attempts at Government overthrow in various countries, including Georgia. Everything is clear and obvious. That is why transparency and adopting the relevant law is so important”, he noted.

Regarding the Eagle Hills investment, the mayor explained that this foreign direct investment was crucial for the country’s economy.

“Why is there a campaign against this investment? Foreign direct investment is of immense significance for Georgia’s economy - strengthening local construction companies, creating new jobs, and so on. The agreement signed with the company is public.

The only commercial secret concerns the company’s profit-related figures, which has a reasonable explanation. This company doesn’t operate only in Georgia; it works in many countries. It will likely continue investing elsewhere as well, so why should information about its conditions with Georgia be made public for other states? It is a regular company with its own business interests and will always try to protect them, just as we seek to protect our country’s interests”, Kaladze said.

Responding to a question about the media organisation “Mountain Stories” and its major international donors - Deutsche Welle and the German Embassy, Kaladze stressed that names did not matter - the source of funding was the same.

“Names mean nothing; they are irrelevant. Funds coming into Georgia may enter under the names of various organisations, but the source is the same - outside the country. We know who the informal rulers are, informal governance that poses a major global threat and is a serious adversary for our country. They try to bring in money covertly through different methods and then direct it, for example, against the Patriarchate and the Church. Do you not remember the specific campaigns? All of this was externally imposed and financed with money coming from outside. If you look into the stories and materials they prepared, you will clearly see the interest in destabilising the country and exploiting various tragedies for political purposes”, he concluded.