Growing ‘Ivanishvili authoritarianism’ makes positive signals from Europe impossible, UNM

Georgia cannot expect any positive messages from the European Union under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s “growing authoritarian rule,” Deputy Secretary General of the United National Movement Irakli Pavlenishvili said, criticizing the government for “undermining both EU integration and constructive diplomacy.”

Pavlenishvili argued that taking a sanctioned official to countries that imposed those sanctions was “incompatible with genuine dialogue,” referring to reports that Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze - sanctioned by several EU member states - was denied entry into Brussels.

“When you want negotiations and dialogue, you do not bring a sanctioned person to the very countries that sanctioned him,” Pavlenishvili said. “Ivanishvili is sabotaging not only the path toward EU integration, but any attempt at constructive talks. Unfortunately, everything will be negative for the country and its people as long as Ivanishvili is in power.”

He added that Europe’s future stance toward Georgia “will inevitably be shaped” by “Ivanishvili’s recent actions both domestically and internationally.”