Georgian PM vows protection against “liberal fascism” following “bullying” of civil servants, students, reporters

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said the Government would “protect everyone from bullying [and] liberal fascism” amid ongoing protests in capital Tbilisi and regions against his office’s decision last week to delay European Union accession negotiations until 2028.

Kobakhidze claimed “liberal fascism must come to an end” in Georgia, adding there were “attempts to bully public servants, teachers and even students and schoolchildren” by domestic opposition and “entities related to them”.

The PM also referred to last week’s incidents, where he claimed “representatives of a channel” of wanted former official David Kezerashvili had “attempted to disrupt” the Georgian Public Broadcaster with a protest outside its offices.

He accused figures “associated with Kezerashvili's television” of “attempting to infiltrate” the offices, describing them as “individuals profiting from criminal money obtained through corruption”, including funds “stolen from the Georgian army and through business racketeering”.

The official also expressed the Government’s “readiness to engage in any public or non-public discussions” on Georgia's European Union integration issues, by stressing his office’s position was “strong” and saying it was “prepared for debate on any issue”.

Kobakhidze also referred to a previous proposal, made by the Government for debating the controversial domestic law on transparency of foreign influence, claiming “liberal fascism” had prevented a “single individual or young person” from “being given the opportunity to engage in the discussions”.

He added his office would be “absolutely open to any decision if anyone proves we have made a wrong decision”, but added it was “also expected of the other side to be willing to acknowledge the truth if we prove our case, and this is our absolutely sincere attitude”.