Georgian PM: facts prove Georgia leads all EU candidate nations

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said that Georgia holds a leading position among European Union candidate nations, asserting that this status is backed by specific data and facts, not only in comparison to Moldova and Ukraine but across the entire bloc of candidate states.

Speaking during a debate broadcast on Rustavi 2, the head of Government emphasised that the overall situation surrounding Georgia in the context of European integration is absolutely clear, noting that specific facts confirm Georgia is a leader among candidate countries and is clearly at the forefront in every aspect.

According to the Prime Minister, Georgia’s leadership is demonstrated through key performance indicators, including human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and low levels of corruption.

Turning to economic performance, Kobakhidze noted that figures easily prove Georgia is far ahead of its peers, particularly regarding development dynamics. He also pointed to public sentiment toward EU integration, highlighting a stark contrast between the situations in Georgia and Moldova.

During the debate, Kobakhidze drew specific comparisons regarding the state of democracy in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, beginning with electoral processes. The Prime Minister noted that elections are currently not being held in Ukraine. While acknowledging that the ongoing war serves as a justification, he emphasised that the fact remains that the democratic process is not taking place there at all.

Kobakhidze also scrutinised Moldova’s recent presidential and parliamentary elections, claiming that the resident population of Moldova did not support the elected president in the presidential race, with the victory ultimately secured via diaspora votes. Furthermore, he described Moldova’s parliamentary elections as lacking in political pluralism.

Addressing the domestic outcry over potential moves to ban certain political entities in Georgia via the Constitutional Court, Kobakhidze contrasted the situation with actions taken in Ukraine and Moldova. He highlighted that Ukraine has directly banned 11 political parties without facing international criticism. In Moldova, Kobakhidze noted, one of the largest opposition coalitions was banned in 2023, and two parties were barred from participating just ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections, drawing absolutely no reaction from the international community.

He stated that while Ukraine faces a severe situation regarding political pluralism due to the war, there is no war in Moldova, yet the situation there is also extremely grave.

The Prime Minister strongly defended Georgia’s media landscape, calling full media freedom one of the country's primary achievements since 2012.

In contrast, he described the media environment in Ukraine and Moldova as highly restrictive. According to the Prime Minister, more than 105 television stations have ceased broadcasting or had their licenses suspended in Ukraine in recent years. In Moldova, Kobakhidze stated that 12 leading channels had their licenses revoked or suspended, leaving the country with only State Television 1 - formally called the Public Broadcaster - and State Television 2.

Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister questioned the double standards in international reactions. He pointed out the lack of criticism or sanctions despite 12 TV channels being shut down in Moldova and 105 in Ukraine.

Kobakhidze concluded by contrasting this with the intense political hype that typically follows the arrest or detention of any politician within Georgia, noting that the reality is entirely different in Ukraine and Moldova.