Georgia’s ruling party official says unelected Brussels bureaucracy does not represent European values

Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Sunday accused foreign actors of “brazenly interfering” in Georgia’s domestic political affairs, saying they operate outside diplomatic and moral boundaries and openly support what he described as their “hand-picked so-called opposition”.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Kirtskhalia noted that the public clearly sees the condition of the opposition, which he claimed has become a tool in the hands of “Eurocracy”, adding that society has “given them their name”, and that the opposition is no longer able to act effectively.

“That is precisely why they are coming out so openly and brazenly with anti-state, unconstitutional and insulting statements and actions”, the official said.

The parliamentary majority leader also argued that presenting as “European values” ideas that, in his view, diminish Georgian values amounts to “entering a losing game”. He claimed that calls for transparency, support for LGBTQ+ rights, and criticism of the strong role of the church are being framed as part of a European path, while the protection of family values is labeled anti-European.

“When they tell you that the European path supposedly lies in a lack of transparency, that LGBTQ+ propaganda among children and minors is the European path, and that protecting family values is anti-European; when they insult and diminish the most important and virtuous element - faith; when they say there should not be such a strong church here and that the European path requires a weaker church - of course this is entering a losing game when dealing with the Georgian people”, Kirtskhalia said.

He further added that neither the opposition nor its “patrons” understand what Georgian society truly wants.

Kirtskhalia also criticised what he described as Brussels bureaucracy, saying it is “crystal clear” what this “dirtiest force” in Brussels - an unelected bureaucracy and political elite - wants, but that such efforts “will not pass” in Georgia.

“Our country did not enter the war; our country preserved peace. It troubles them and will continue to trouble them that our country will walk with dignity and its head held high”, he noted.

“The unelected bureaucracy is not Europe or European values to us. For us, Europe and European values are what Europe once stood upon. Where they are today and what challenges Europe faces - we see this clearly, as does the rest of the world, and their own societies within the European Union see it very well themselves”, the official concluded.