PM Kobakhidze: "Powerful forces are pushing false ideologies on society"

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze warned on Friday that powerful forces are attempting to impose "false ideologies" on the public, as he spoke during a march marking the Day of Family Purity and Respect for Parents in Tbilisi.

“Influential forces are trying to force false ideologies on society,” Kobakhidze told reporters. “We have opposed this, including through the law we passed to protect family values and the interests of minors.”

The prime minister defended the controversial legislation, which has been criticized by human rights groups as discriminatory toward the LGBTQ+ community, saying it serves to safeguard traditional norms. “There was serious criticism of this law, which was completely incomprehensible,” he said. “Yet again, society rose to the occasion and realized how important it is to defend our traditional values despite pressure.”

He added that today’s rally is a reflection of the Georgian people’s firm stance in defense of these values: “The Georgian people will always stand strong in protecting our traditional foundations.”

The Day of Family Purity, established in 2014 by the Georgian Orthodox Church, is celebrated annually on May 17, the same day as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The Church organizes prayer services and large-scale processions in Tbilisi and other cities, drawing thousands of participants.