Georgian PM Accuses European Officials of Double Standards Over Violent Protests and Foreign Funding

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused European officials of applying double standards to violent protests, claiming that activities condemned in France have been supported in Georgia through European funding.

Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Kobakhidze argued that what he described as inconsistent European attitudes towards protests and law enforcement were politically motivated and undermined Georgia’s sovereignty.

“There is only a political explanation for the double standards we are witnessing. Throwing Molotov cocktails and setting police officers on fire cannot be considered acceptable in Georgia but unacceptable in France. I believe such actions are wrong in both countries. In any case, there should be no double standards,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister alleged that European funding had been used to support campaigns in Georgia associated with actions that European authorities would condemn within their own countries.

“The European bureaucracy is characterised by double standards. Activities they find unacceptable in France were actively promoted in Georgia through direct European funding,” he said.

Kobakhidze linked his allegations to Georgia’s controversial foreign influence transparency legislation, arguing that the law was introduced partly to address concerns over the use of foreign financial resources in domestic political activities.

“Campaigns in favour of throwing Molotov cocktails and setting police officers on fire were conducted with direct European funding. This is precisely what we are talking about,” the Prime Minister claimed.

He maintained that the Georgian government’s transparency legislation was intended to counter such practices and protect the country’s political independence.

Kobakhidze also warned against what he described as disregard for Georgia’s national sovereignty in the conduct of relations between Tbilisi and European institutions.

“Double standards are unacceptable, as is disregarding state sovereignty to such an extent. What is needed is an approach that respects the dignity of our country and our people, rather than one based on double standards,” he said.

His remarks come amid continuing disagreements between Georgia and the European Union over the country’s transparency legislation, the handling of protests and broader concerns about democratic governance.

The Georgian government maintains that its policies are designed to protect national sovereignty and uphold the rule of law, while European institutions and rights organisations have raised concerns about restrictions on civil society and fundamental freedoms.