Ruling party MP downplays MEGOBARI Act, calls it “hostile move” against Georgia

Member of the Georgian parliamentary majority, Irakli Cheishvili, dismissed the potential impact of the US congressional MEGOBARI Act, labeling it a “hostile act” rather than one of friendship toward Georgia.

Speaking on the television program Dgis Kronika (Daily Chronicle), Cheishvili claimed the bill is unlikely to progress further and expressed confidence that, even if it reaches a future Trump administration, it would not be signed into law.

“There will be no further development of the so-called ‘MEGOBARI Act,’ which in reality is a hostile act toward Georgia. Even if it were to reach the Trump administration, I don’t believe it would be signed,” he said.

Cheishvili also asserted that the Georgian government and Donald Trump’s administration share ideological alignment.

“The policies we have pursued over the years are practically identical to those of Donald Trump. Just days ago, the House Judiciary Committee accused the EU of pursuing a political campaign against conservatives,” he added, suggesting that the MEGOBARI Act, introduced by specific members of Congress, lacks broader bipartisan support.

The MEGOBARI Act calls on the US government to reassess its relationship with Georgia if the country deviates from its Euro-Atlantic integration path. The bill mandates regular reporting on Russian intelligence activities and sanctions evasion in Georgia, and authorizes sanctions against individuals seen as undermining Georgian democracy.