PM releases special statement condemning pro-Russian party election advert

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili has spoken out against the content of an advertisement by a pro-Russian political party that promises legalisation of the Russian Army in Georgia, Russian pension and double citizenship. 

A short time ago Kvirikashvili released a special statement condemning the content of the advertisement by the Centrists political party, which is pro-Russian in its policies.

In the statement Kvirikashvili said his Government would use "all legal and democratic levers” to prevent any and all anti-state propaganda in the country. 

He also welcomed today’s decision of Georgia’s Public Broadcaster (GPB) to suspend broadcasting of Centrists’ election advertisement on its television channel.

The Centrists party was founded by Vladimir Bedukadze and Nikoloz Khachishvili. 

All political parties were offered a certain number of minutes on the state broadcaster to voice their messages ahead of the October 8 Parliamentary Elections.

The controversial advertisement by the Centrists promised 400 GEL ($171 dollars) Russian pension for Georgian citizens, legalisation of the Russian military on Georgian territory and allowing double citizenship meaning people can have both Georgian and Russian citizenship. 

The screenshot from the advert of pro-Russian Centrists Party. It says "we will legalise Russian military bases". 

The advert initially gained criticism on social networks, which led to the GPB reviewing the advert. The GPB then decided to suspend the broadcasting of the advert as it contained "anti-state messages and could contradict the Georgian Constitution”. 

The GPB has since addressed Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) and the National Communication Commission of Georgia to discuss the issue and come to an appropriate solution 

PM Kvirikashvili said now, in this current environment when Georgia was making history by defining its democratic statehood, it was imperative that all institutions, organisations and individuals were responsible for upholding state values that supported the country’s democratic future. 

The Government of Georgia has spared no effort in the recent years to ensure media independence, but independence does not mean irresponsibility. The media is the primary responsible party in ensuring against the dissemination content that can damage interests of the Georgian state. Thus, we welcome the decision made by the Public Broadcaster of Georgia to take off the air those election ads that undermine the interests and sovereignty of the state," Kvirikashvili said.

He also appealed to all media outlets to "not become victims of propaganda” and uphold high ethical and moral standards.

We all need to be particularly vigilant and careful during the pre election period given the increasing wave of propaganda against state interests," the PM said.

Finally, Kvirikashvili stressed the Government would use all legal and democratic measures to prevent the spread of any and all anti-state propaganda and he welcomed all initiatives from civil and political sectors as to how this can be eliminated.