Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday criticized Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's recent address to the country's youth amidst ongoing protests against a controversial foreign transparency bill. Kobakhidze characterized protesters as affiliated with the "radical wing" of the opposition and compared the youth to a historical figure's murderer, drawing sharp rebuke from the President.

In his speech, Kobakhidze likened the youth's protest to the actions of Gigla Berbichashvili, who fatally shot prominent public figure Ilia Chavchavadze in 1907. 

“At 29 years old, Gigla Berbichashvili fatally shot 70-year-old Ilia Chavchavadze, driven by his fervent belief that he represented progressive ideals, while viewing Chavchavadze as regressive and deceitful. Berbichashvili's convictions were deeply rooted in Bolshevik ideology, which he and his peers had embraced. Similarly, pseudo-liberal ideologies employ comparable tactics, persuading young individuals associated with the collective UNM that they embody sincerity and progressiveness within the nation”, Kobakhidze said. Zourabichvili highlighted the importance of leadership connected to reality and in tune with the populace. She stressed that effective governance requires genuine care for the people, beyond mere allegiance to the homeland. 

"It would be deeply regrettable for anyone to draw parallels between young people and Berbichashvili. When such statements come from the Prime Minister, it portrays him as disconnected from reality and underscores the growing gap between his administration and the populace. Effective governance stems from genuine care for one's people; allegiance to the homeland alone isn't sufficient. Throughout Passion Week, Easter, and the Magnificent Seven, never have I encountered such a barrage of threats, animosity, and physical violence from officials. The language of your animosity has never been Georgian!"she said.