Kurt Volker, former US Ambassador to NATO and representative of the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for its strategy to “stay in power by attacking the opposition”.
Speaking at the 8th Tbilisi International Conference on Tuesday, organized by the McCain Institute, the George Bush Institute, and the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), Volker argued that the approach jeopardized Georgia’s alignment with the European Union.
“Georgian Dream’s attempt to demonize the opposition and claim it can remain on track with the EU is misleading. Such tactics will distance Georgia from European integration,” Volker said. He emphasized the need for opposition parties to present a unified front and a clear alternative to Georgian voters.
Volker highlighted the significance of the upcoming, October 26 general elections, stressing that they must be as free and fair as possible to allow the Georgian people to express their preferences. He criticized a GD proposed foreign influence transparency law, arguing that it pressured civil society and diverged from EU and US standards.
He also condemned the notion of declaring opposition parties illegal if the Georgian Dream won the vote, labeling such a move as undemocratic. “I hope this is just part of the campaign rhetoric and not a serious intention,” Volker said.
He praised President Salome Zourabichvili for his role as a “voice of conscience”, stating, “the president has done an excellent job advocating for the country’s interests beyond party politics.”
Addressing the Governmnet claims that the US was part of a “global war party,” Volker dismissed these allegations as “absolute nonsense.” He criticized the Georgian government’s stance toward the US., noting, “The current Georgia-US relationship was “disappointing”.
