Pawel Herczynski, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, on Monday reaffirmed his criticism over the election banners displayed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The banners, which read “No to war – choose peace,” feature images of war-torn buildings in Ukraine juxtaposed with structures rebuilt under the current government, prompting backlash from the ambassador and various media outlets.
In a media briefing at Caucasus University, Herczynski described the banners as “outrageous, disgraceful, and disgusting.” He emphasized the importance of media freedom in a democratic society and noted that major television channels, including Mtavari Arkhi, TV Pirveli and Formula, had opted not to broadcast the contentious ads, fearing substantial fines from the government.
“I was asked about my vision and I shared my views honestly and openly, as I always do in conversation with Georgians,” Herczynski said. He reiterated that the upcoming elections, scheduled for October 26, represent a “crucial opportunity” for the Georgian people to exercise their democratic rights and choose their government freely.
The ambassador affirmed that the EU has consistently worked with any democratically elected government in Georgia since its independence, and will continue to do so following the elections. He emphasized the need for elections that meet the highest European and international standards, calling for competitiveness, transparency, and inclusivity.
The controversy surrounding the banners has drawn criticism from the IDEA Advocacy Group which condemned the Georgian Dream’s use of the “Ukrainian tragedy for political gain”. The coalition stated that the demand for media outlets to air these advertisements constitutes a violation of media freedom and ethical journalism.
In response to the ambassador’s remarks, Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament and member of the Political Council of Georgian Dream, accused Herczynski of interference in the election process, labeling his comments as hypocritical. He pointed to perceived inconsistencies in the EU’s stance, suggesting that it has overlooked other issues while focusing on the current controversy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has also weighed in, urging the Georgian government and all parties involved to avoid using the theme of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine for domestic political purposes.
