Ruling party MP: “baseless” EP resolutions “bolster” support to Georgian Dream Gov’t
The MP stressed the EP resolution “can not be part of the circulation of lies and misinformation". Photo: Parliament press office
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Rati Ionatamishvili, the Chair of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee in the Georgian Parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday condemned a recent draft resolution by 14 members of the European Parliament on the “democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia”, and claimed “such baseless documents only bolster support” for Georgian authorities among the public.
The draft resolution, submitted earlier this month, includes demands for sanctioning Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chair and founder of GD, and other officials, securing release of Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned former President of Georgia, and a recall of the controversial law on “family values and protection of minors”, adopted in September by the country’s Parliament.
In his press comments, the MP stressed the EP resolution “can not be part of the circulation of lies and misinformation”, adding “unfortunately, we recall precedents of this nature, but ultimately these documents have ended up as little more than pieces of paper”.
The lawmaker further stressed the public was expected to “rally even more around justice and the GD authorities” as the EP resolution “insults the values upheld by the European Union, including the principles of the rule of law and justice”.
Anyone who supports this resolution will be seen as hostile to Georgia. Clearly, the manipulation of such texts is an attempt to interfere with the pre-election process [ahead of the October 26 general elections]. If these individuals fail to understand that these issues bolster support for the Government and diminish backing for the radical opposition, then they should continue their actions”, Ionatamishvili claimed.
He also said it was “unlikely that there will be any threat to the [EU-Georgia] visa-free travel” due to the Government’s policies criticised by its Western partners, and added “[t]hose who oppose Georgia are being [revealed with these actions]”.