Georgian Parliament Speaker says Gov’t, media remain in place as Starmer leaves politics

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday said the country's Government and media remain in place despite efforts by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to use financial sanctions against Georgia.

Papuashvili made the remarks in a social media post responding to Starmer's statement that he was leaving politics.

“It is noteworthy that the person who, for the first time in the history of Georgia–United Kingdom relations, took openly hostile steps towards Georgia is not only leaving office but is also leaving politics,” Papuashvili wrote.

He said Starmer had sought to use financial sanctions “as a political weapon” to remove “the Government elected by the Georgian people” and later to “financially destroy and shut down Georgia’s independent media.”

“Fate decided otherwise. Georgia’s Government remains in place, Georgian media continue to broadcast, while Starmer is leaving politics,” Papuashvili said.

Starmer has previously said he is stepping down from politics after leaving office.