MP Kadagishvili slams opposition over ‘foreign influence’ and populism claims

Irakli Kadagishvili, chair of parliament’s regional policy and self-government committee, has criticised opposition figures for what he described as reliance on foreign narratives and “propaganda” against Georgia.

Speaking during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, the anniversary of Georgia’s independence referendum, Kadagishvili accused opposition politicians of focusing on how the country was perceived abroad, including references to the “Moscow Mechanism”. He argued that various international tools were used to place Georgia’s sovereignty under external control.

He also said that certain actors, including within the European Union, had undermined Georgia’s democratic development by questioning the outcome of the 2024 parliamentary elections despite, as he put it, the conclusions of their own observation missions.

“If you are patriotic politicians, you must first understand the national interest of Georgia before following external mechanisms and narratives portraying the country as Belarus or Russia,” Kadagishvili said, calling such rhetoric “shameful”.

Kadagishvili also criticised opposition statements on rising tariffs and economic conditions, accusing them of populism. He argued that without economic growth and controlled inflation, the country would face significantly higher prices and a decline in living standards.

“Tariffs are not increased out of desire, but necessity. Without such measures, there would be risks to electricity supply and distribution. Populism cannot conceal these realities,” he added.