Georgian MP criticises German MEP’s remarks as ‘disrespectful’

Levan Machavariani, a member of Georgia’s parliamentary majority, has criticised comments made by European Parliament member Michael Gahler, saying the remarks do not reflect the position of Germany or the German people.

Machavariani said references to alleged “Russian narratives” were outdated and ineffective, adding that such rhetoric had “worn out”.

“It would be better if someone explained to him that this supposed Russian narrative no longer works — it has become stale. He can invent another country instead. As for his vocabulary, it is, of course, directly disrespectful, first and foremost to himself,” Machavariani said.

He stressed that the comments should not be interpreted as representing Germany.

“We believe this is not the position of the German people and not Germany’s position, because Germany and the German people stand far higher than such comments by this ill-mannered man,” he added.

Gahler had said that “these Moscow-linked figures” — ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and others — are the ones who “should leave the country and allow the vast majority of the Georgian people to continue on the path toward a European Georgia, not a Soviet Georgia.”