PM claims Western funding fuelling ‘liberal fascism’ in Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused foreign funding of fostering “liberal fascism” in the country, linking it to efforts to destabilize the nation’s constitutional order.

Speaking on Friday amid protests over the Government’s decision to delay European Union integration until 2028, Kobakhidze alleged that “foreign-backed ideologies” were being used to incite unrest and undermine Georgia’s sovereignty.

The Prime Minister cited the controversial transparency law, which mandates registration for entities receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad, as a target of such ideologies. He claimed “radical groups” had exploited foreign funding and liberal ideologies to create “hysteria,” drawing parallels to Ukraine’s 2013–2014 Euromaidan protests.

“Specific groups, driven by liberal fascist ideology and foreign, dark money, sought to organize violent events to change the constitutional order,” Kobakhidze stated.

He accused organizations like CANVAS, the Franklin Club and Future Academy of training youth, artists, and students to fuel “revolutionary activities” and spread divisive ideologies.

Kobakhidze also referred to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s remarks on the use of cultural institutions for promoting division, claiming Georgia faced a similar threat.