Opposition ‘doomed to failure’ after years of political confrontation, ruling party MP

Tornike Paghava, a member of Georgia’s parliamentary majority, has said the country’s “radical opposition” was destined for political failure, regardless of whether it united or fragmented.

Speaking during a plenary session on Tuesday, Paghava argued that after years in government, more than a decade in opposition and several failed attempts at revolution, the opposition has moved beyond a matter of political preference and into what he described as a “moral red line” for Georgian society.

He also referred to the period following the death of Patriarch Ilia II, saying the public had demonstrated “unprecedented unity” around faith and traditional values, which he described as a response to what he called long-standing attacks on the Church.

Paghava accused opposition groups of acting against state interests during critical moments, including lobbying against Georgia’s EU candidate status and calling for the transfer of military equipment to Ukraine following the start of the Russia-Ukraine War.

He further alleged that opposition figures had spread disinformation internationally, including claims that Georgia was being used to circumvent sanctions, which he said had been rejected by international partners who commended the government’s compliance with sanctions policy.

Paghava also criticised recent claims circulating about alleged security risks in Georgia, calling them part of a broader disinformation campaign.