Georgia’s PM says EU bureaucracy ‘resentful’ over public support for ruling party

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Tuesday that there has been no progress in relations between Georgia and the European Union, blaming what he described as continued resentment within the European bureaucracy toward the Georgian people for backing the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Speaking on the Public Broadcaster’s programme Active Topic, Kobakhidze said the main obstacle to improved ties was the EU’s attitude toward both the Georgian electorate and the Government it has chosen.

He said the core problem was that European officials did not recognise Georgia’s democracy or the democratic choice of its citizens, linking tensions to the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Kobakhidze accused the EU’s ambassador of openly taking a position during the election campaign by encouraging voters to support the opposition against Georgian Dream, claiming that European institutions and the radical opposition “lost the elections together” and have yet to accept the outcome.

He said the Georgian Government is internationally recognised, citing its participation in official events abroad, but argued that the issue was not recognition but dissatisfaction.

“They continue to express resentment toward the Georgian people because they once again supported the Georgian Dream Government and the course the country has chosen,” Kobakhidze said, describing that course as one of peace and pragmatism.

Kobakhidze said progress in relations would remain unlikely unless the EU’s approach toward Georgia changes, adding that the Government hopes such a shift will occur.