Most troubling thing now is Georgia’s “Russian Government” trajectory – President

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has expressed concerns regarding recent developments around the foreign transparency bill resubmitted by the ruling Georgian Dream party in March, in a recent interview with FRANCE 24, she underscored the gravity of statements made by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and the honorary chair of the GD, characterizing them as tantamount to a declaration of war against key allies, namely the United States and the European Union.

“The most troubling aspect currently is the Russian government’s trajectory,” President Zourabichvili remarked. She highlighted Ivanishvili’s recent remarks, which she interpreted as a declaration of hostilities against the United States, the European Union, and their allies. “He labels them all as warmongers, including myself. Moreover, the rhetoric directed at the individuals advocating for European values on the streets eerily echoes President Putin’s tactics against his own civil society,” she added.

Zourabichvili also criticized a contentious legislative proposal, likening it to a replica of Russian legislation employed by President Putin to exert pressure on non-governmental organizations and civil society. 

“This legislation, more than controversial, mirrors a Russian statute frequently utilized by Putin to stifle dissent. Its reintroduction, essentially mirroring the Russian law, is perceived by civil society as a direct affront,” she asserted. “Reintroducing this law sends a clear signal that the government seeks to quash dissenting voices ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for October [general elections]”.