Vice Speaker accuses UNM opposition of politicising the Church and religious values

Nino Tsilosani, Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, has accused the opposition United National Movement of attempting to use the Georgian Orthodox Church and religious values for political purposes.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Tsilosani said that the opposition, including UNM Chairperson Tina Bokuchava, treated the Church as a “political arena” where they attempted to engage in political competition using faith and religious values.

“Years ago, the United National Movement, its members, activists and affiliated media outlets ran aggressive campaigns against the Church and against the Patriarch,” Tsilosani said, adding that she believed such actions were aimed at weakening the country’s spiritual foundation.

She further claimed that attacks were also directed against senior clergy, including during sensitive periods related to the Patriarchate’s leadership, and accused the opposition of attempting to create division within the Church.

Tsilosani said the Church represented love between God and people, and argued that UNM policies had historically been directed against this principle.

She also referred to legislation on “family values,” saying the opposition had not supported such initiatives.