Georgian PM accuses “deep state” of orchestrating pro-Russian smear campaigns

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has claimed that a global pattern exists in discrediting political movements by labeling them as "pro-Russian," a tactic he attributes to the so-called "deep state." Speaking in an interview with Rustavi 2, Kobakhidze said this approach is used internationally to undermine political forces that challenge dominant narratives.

“The signature of the so-called ‘deep state’ is the same in every country. When you want to discredit a political force you don’t like, you simply label it pro-Russian,” the Prime Minister said.

According to Kobakhidze, this type of campaign against the ruling Georgian Dream party and its founder Bidzina Ivanishvili began as early as 2011—before the party itself was officially established.

“The campaign targeting the so-called Russian origins of our newly founded public movement dates back to 2011. It started right after Bidzina Ivanishvili announced his entry into politics,” Kobakhidze said, calling the tactics a clear example of a broader political agenda.

He added that while Georgian officials have previously referred to this force as the “Global War Party,” the term “deep state” used by US President Donald Trump’s administration refers to the same concept. Kobakhidze argued that this global network applies similar methods across different countries, including labeling leaders like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as “pro-Russian” or even a “dictator.”

“In Hungary, there’s no sign of actual pro-Russian sentiment, yet Orbán is still tagged with that label. These are just convenient tools used to suppress political figures who don’t align with the dominant geopolitical narrative,” Kobakhidze stated.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the Georgian government and Western critics who accuse the ruling party of drifting away from democratic norms and aligning itself too closely with Moscow.