“If you want to join, you have no right to speak” - Georgian Parliament official compares EU to Soviet Union

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Wednesday likened the European Union to the Soviet Union, arguing that aspiring member states were not allowed to voice criticism, while the United States openly challenged EU policies.

In his remarks, Matikashvili emphasised that the EU’s approach demonstrated unequal treatment toward countries seeking membership.

“The European Union increasingly resembles the Soviet Union when society is divided into patricians and plebeians. If you want to join the EU, you do not have the right to speak out or criticise it. At the same time, the United States subjects the EU to intense criticism, directly pointing out the poor policies they unfortunately pursue. It also indicates the eventual outcome of these policies. This is an example of unequal relations, which Kaja Kallas has shown to the public”, he said.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday criticised the European Union for evading questions about double standards, asserting that the EU’s treatment of Georgia clearly reflected unequal policies.