Gov’t explains absence of EU flag on parliament for Independence Day celebrations

The Georgian government on Thursday explained the absence of the European Union flag on the country’s parliament building for May 26 Independence Day celebrations in the capital city, following the social media turmoil, with part of the domestic opposition also claiming the move indicated to the Georgian Dream authorities “pro-Russian stance”. 

In its comments, the government administration said this year’s message for the day was “For the Love of Freedom”, and stressed the exterior of the capital city and the whole of Georgia had been decorated with national symbols. 

They claimed every year since 2016, this day had acquired “an additional theme, around which a campaign, slogan, congratulatory ring, and city-decoration are built”. 

Social media users have urged the authorities to feature the EU flag on the parliament building, claiming its absence could be perceived negatively ahead of the bloc’s forthcoming decision on Georgia’s membership candidate status by the end of this year.