Georgian MP urges “strategic calm” amid external influence concerns

A senior Georgian lawmaker has called for a measured and pragmatic response to external pressures, saying the country’s strategic location made it a target for competing influences.

Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Zviad Shalamberidze, First Deputy Chair of the Regional Policy and Self-Government Committee, said Georgia’s role as a key economic and transport link between regions naturally attracts interest from various international actors.

He noted that such influence may be exerted through political processes, information campaigns, or attempts to shape public opinion.

Despite these challenges, Shalamberidze said Georgia possesses sufficiently strong state institutions and political experience to manage emerging risks.

He stressed that the appropriate response should not be panic or emotional reaction, but “strategic calm,” responsible governance, and decisions grounded in national interests.

Addressing the public, the MP also called for vigilance and unity, urging citizens not to be drawn into provocations or misinformation.

He said that an informed and engaged society is the most effective defence against information-based pressure, adding that similar challenges are likely to continue in the future.

Shalamberidze concluded that the government would maintain a pragmatic approach focused on safeguarding national interests and stability.