Georgian Ruling Party official claims "agency narrative" of “national decisions” being represented as “Russian”

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream party, criticised opponents on Monday for labelling the Government's "national, Georgian decisions" as "Russian”, and claimed the narrative was “typical of foreign agents”. 

Mdinaradze argued “labelling Georgian actions, including laws and national decisions, as Russian is a deliberate lie” and emphasised that regardless of the source - “whether it be a member of the European Parliament or another figure - such claims are false and serve the interests of external forces”. 

Anyone who calls our actions Russian is lying”, Mdinaradze alleged, adding the individuals were “working under the orders of foreign entities”.

He also accused the domestic opposition of being hesitant to support ruling party initiatives, particularly those aimed at curbing "LGBT propaganda", due to a “fear of disapproval from their foreign patrons”. 

The MP claimed the opposition was "caught between a fear of the Georgian people and external pressures”, and added the Georgian public “strongly supports traditional values, as reflected in Georgian Dream’s election slogan, which says ‘with traditions in Europe’”.

Mdinaradze announced the upcoming parliamentary session, likely the final one for this convocation, would see the passage of a legislative package comprising 19 laws aimed against "LGBT propaganda”. 

He highlighted the importance of securing a constitutional majority in the next Parliament to enshrine the laws in the constitution.

The official also addressed “speculation” surrounding the adoption of a new amnesty law, dismissing claims that it was designed to sway votes in the upcoming, October 26 general elections. 

Mdinaradze explained the law would lead to the immediate release of 1,000 prisoners, with another 5,000 to be released in stages following the elections. 

He also emphasised that large-scale amnesties were “common” and “often coincide with significant events like elections or holidays”, noting that similar actions were being taken by presidents in other countries during New Year’s Eve or Christmas holidays. "Linking this to [the ruling party’s aims to garner support for the upcoming] elections is purely speculative”, the party official said. 

The MP also criticised the recent Democracy Festival, held in several Georgian regions, describing it as a “foreign-funded opposition campaign rather than a true celebration of democracy”. 

The festival, funded by the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy, faced accusations from the Georgian Government of being used for electoral purposes, particularly due to banners demanding the release of Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned former President. 

Mdinaradze claimed the Government, along with the media, had managed to “expose the festival's true nature”, leading to cancellation of similar opposition activities.