Georgian Parliament Speaker Accuses EU of Interference
(MENAFN) Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has sharply criticized the European Union (EU), accusing the bloc of meddling in Georgia’s internal political matters and forcing what he described as "false political choices" on the country.
He likened the EU's approach to tactics reminiscent of the Soviet era, drawing a controversial comparison that underscores growing tensions between Tbilisi and Brussels.
Papuashvili’s remarks came in response to a warning issued by the European Commission earlier this week, in which the EU cautioned that Georgia’s path to membership could be suspended if the current administration fails to return to what Brussels described as a "democratic path" by the end of the summer.
The Commission also threatened to revoke the visa-free travel rights currently enjoyed by Georgian citizens unless specific conditions are met, including repealing the controversial ‘foreign agents’ law and advancing LGBTQ+ protections.
“We see direct interference in the Georgian elections,” Papuashvili stated on Friday, according to reports from local outlets. “It seems that some of the political elite [in Brussels] have taken some skills from the Soviet Union.”
Georgia, a former Soviet republic, officially submitted its EU membership application in March 2022 following the escalation of the war in Ukraine.
Although it was granted candidate status in December 2023, the country has since paused its accession process.
Officials in Tbilisi claim this is due to an increasingly forceful tone from Brussels, though they maintain that joining the EU remains a long-term national objective.
The Georgian Dream party, which won a significant majority in last October’s election, has frequently accused Western nations of interference under the pretense of supporting democratic governance.
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