Georgian PM pledges to “weaken foreign-influenced” opposition parties for “healthy” political scene

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday vowed to curtail what he described as “foreign-influenced destructive forces” among the country's opposition parties, highlighting a push for their replacement by “healthy opposition groups” over the next four years.

In an interview with domestic PosTV, the PM called out four Georgian opposition parties - the United National Movement, Ahali, Lelo, and Gakharia For Georgia - labelling them as “foreign-influenced” entities that “pose a constant risk to Georgia’s stability”.

Kobakhidze pledged his Government would take measures to “encourage their replacement” by what he termed “healthy opposition parties”,  as part of a larger strategy to “build a strong and independent political landscape”.

Referring to the four parties as a “collective UNM” - a reference to the previous ruling party from 2004-2012 - the PM claimed they had undergone “rebranding under new electoral numbers” to create an “illusion of diversity within the opposition” ahead of the recent elections.

However, he argued, the parties remained united under a “common, externally managed agenda” that he claimed “conflicts with Georgia’s national interests”.

In his comments, the official also highlighted the role of former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s party, For Georgia, in forming coalitions with the UNM in various municipalities after the 2021 local elections, “under foreign influence”. 

The PM further alleged that For Georgia had also “reluctantly aligned” with President Salome Zourabichvili’s Georgian Charter for a provisional government if the opposition won the recent elections, following “external directives”. 

Kobakhidze claimed the compliance had led to “reputational damage and 60,000 fewer votes” in recent elections for the party compared to previous municipal elections.

Looking ahead, the PM outlined a plan for the GD authorities to “diminish the influence of the unhealthy, externally directed parties” during their term, asserting “our national objective remains to form a strong, genuinely independent opposition that can contribute to a healthy political environment in Georgia”.