Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses Swedish Gov’t of “hypocrisy” over Georgia remarks

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday responded to a statement made by Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, calling it “brazen hypocrisy”.

“We can explain to Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that until the Swedish Government and its foreign ministry distance themselves from and condemn the call made by a member of their own Government, Erik Ottoson, who urged people toward a ‘Maidan’ in Georgia in November 2024, any further statements they make about Georgia are hypocrisy”, the Speaker noted.

“Every time we hear such brazen hypocrisy from the Swedish government, we will remind them that Erik Ottoson is part of their government and that he was calling for a ‘Maidan’ in Georgia. Everyone sees today what the consequences of a Maidan look like by observing what is happening in Ukraine”, he added.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, wrote on social media that “brave Georgians continue to exercise their right to peaceful protest every day, and we will continue to support a democratic Georgia”.