Georgian diplomat urges public to hold Gov’t accountable over potential loss of visa-free travel

Georgian diplomat and former Deputy Foreign Minister Sergi Kapanadze has called on the Georgian public to hold the ruling party Georgian Dream accountable amid growing concerns over the possible suspension of the country’s visa-free travel with the European Union.

Speaking in a televised statement, Kapanadze accused the government of jeopardizing Georgia’s hard-won European integration achievements and shifting blame onto others.

"Here, inside Georgia, the population must give a worthy answer to the Georgian Dream, which deprives us of visa-free travel day and night," Kapanadze said. “I believe the ruling party has crossed numerous red lines and, through propaganda, has managed to deflect responsibility for its actions.”

Kapanadze criticized what he described as a long-standing pattern by the government of deflecting blame. “They blame the local population if something goes wrong and someone dies. If people express discontent, they tighten laws. If someone attempts suicide, they accuse television stations. Now, if we lose our Association Agreement, visa-free regime, or candidate status, they will certainly find someone else to blame.”