Prime Minister of Georgia accused Paul Herczyński on Tuesday of alleged interference in home policy and open support radical wing Opposition. He claimed that the Ambassador supported the United National Movement in the fresh parliamentary elections and campaigned against the ruling Georgian Dream party. He besides accused him of not condemning violent protests Following the suspension of the EU accession talks by 2028.
A worsening state of democracy
European Commission spokesperson Anita Hipper condemned the attack of Georgian authorities on the EU ambassador, ensuring that Paweł Herczyński has the full support of the Union.
There is no good news from Georgia, as evidenced by fresh reports of allegations made by the ruling organization to our ambassador said at a press briefing in Brussels.
Hipper noted that the EU has been watching since October regular deterioration of democracy in Georgia.
We are witnessing constant intimidation and threats against peaceful demonstrators, journalists, civilian society and fundamentally anyone who talks about freedom and democracy – she said.
She stressed that the EU not only condemned the repression but besides took concrete action against the Georgian authorities, including freezing financial support for the government and redirecting it to NGOs, lowering diplomatic contacts and suspending visa-free movement for Georgian diplomats.
Only recently, the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas and the Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated that Georgia's authorities are increasingly moving distant from democratic standards. Women pointed out Hurry Adopt amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences, the Criminal Code and the Assembly and Demonstration Act in Georgia.
These events mean a serious step backwards for the democratic improvement of Georgia. (...) We call on the authorities to suspend these measures, refrain from further tensions and wait for the opinion of the Bureau of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE, as requested by the Ombudsman – wrote in a joint statement.
Georgians want to join the EU
Anti-government protests have continued in Georgia since the end of November 2024, which broke out after the authorities decided to suspend accession talks with the EU by 2028. By portal EU NEIGHBOURS east, the European Union is the most trusted global institution among Georgians – 81% of respondents trust it.
Zurabishvili and opposition parties consider the parliamentary elections of 26 October to be manipulated. In late December, Mikhail Kawelashwili was sworn in as president of Georgia, but his mandate is not recognized by the opposition or many global partners.
