Ruling party blames ‘deep state’ for EU move on diplomats’ visa-free travel

Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party has accused what it calls the “deep state” of orchestrating the European Union’s decision to back the suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders, describing the measure as ineffective and politically driven.

In a statement on Thursday, parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia said that representatives of the “deep state” were attempting to exert pressure on the Georgian government through European institutions. 

He argued that similar steps taken previously - including restrictions introduced by Baltic states - had failed to influence Tbilisi.

“If the earlier suspension by the Baltic states did not affect the Georgian government, why would repeating the same step, or activating a similar mechanism in Denmark, be decisive?” the statement said.

Kirtskhalia claimed that those behind the move were left with a limited range of options, which he described as “absurd”. 

He also criticised what he called a broader crisis in Europe and alleged that weakened institutions were being used to target the Georgian Dream government.

The statement maintained that the practical impact of the decision would be “zero”, noting that diplomatic passport holders also possess ordinary passports and reiterating that the ruling party had anticipated such measures and taken preventive steps.