Georgian PM claims “foreign funding” spreading “liberal fascism” in country

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday condemned the “rise of liberal fascism” in the country, which he claimed was being “fuelled by foreign funding”. 

Speaking at a press briefing amid ongoing protests against the Government’s decision to postpone the country’s European Union integration until 2028, Kobakhidze decried the “growing influence of foreign-backed ideologies aimed at destabilising the country”.

He argued the alleged ideology was being used to “create hysteria and undermine the nation's constitutional order”. 

The official claimed domestic “radical groups” had also used it during protests against the controversial law on the transparency of foreign influence in 2023 and this year, before and after the adoption of the legislation which requires registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.  

The official claimed “certain groups, driven by liberal fascist ideology and foreign, dark money” had sought to organise “events similar” to Ukraine’s Euromaidan in 2013-2014. 

Do you remember how much hysteria broke out when we were adopting the law? It was precisely using this ideology and foreign, dark money that specific people wanted to organise the Maidan in Georgia, to change the constitutional order of the country through violence”, Kobakhidze claimed. 

He further added that the alleged “hysteria served to promote revolutionary processes in the country, to spread liberal fascism even more widely”. 

The PM also recalled trainings by the Centre for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies last year, by Franklin Club, which promotes libertarian and classical liberal ideas in Georgia, and by the Future Academy programme, alleging the initiatives aimed to involve youth, artists, and students in “revolutionary activities to sow hatred and division”. 

He claimed the activities were “all underpinned by foreign financial support”.

Remember the CANVAS training - they were mainly conducted for representatives of the arts and culture sectors. When we pointed out that their goal was to involve artists in revolutionary processes, there were ironic counter-statements. But this week, we saw that it was the cultural sector that was at the forefront of attempts to organise a revolution”, Kobakhidze said.

He continued, citing Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's comments about how theatres and cultural institutions had been used to “spread aggressive and divisive ideologies”. 

Kobakhidze added that domestic non-governmental organisations were “similarly instrumental in promoting the ideas”, with “foreign money playing a central role”.

The main weapon of liberal fascism is lies, complete inadmissibility of dissent, and sowing hatred in society”, the PM asserted, adding “we must break this vicious circle. Otherwise, the full development of our country is impossible”. 

Turning to President Salome Zourabichvili, Kobakhidze criticised her for what he described as a “loss of dignity” by her “alignment with foreign interests”, as the President has accused the Government of “rigging” the October 26 general elections and “aligning with Russian interests” by “derailing the country from its European path”. 

Zourabichvili’s dignity was completely stripped away as soon as she gave up her independence and became a foreign agent”, Kobakhidze said. 

She was directly involved in a disinformation campaign against Georgia's national interests and in promoting liberal fascism. She even called on school children to engage in violent protests”, he alleged.

Kobakhidze noted Zourabichvili’s term in office was nearing its end this month, and claimed her alleged involvement in “anti-national activities” had marked a “departure from the President’s role as a non-partisan figure”.