Prepared by Messenger Staff
Kobakhidze Accuses EU Ambassador of Fueling Division
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused European Union Ambassador Pawel Herczynski of encouraging political radicalism in Georgia, calling the envoy's actions "very sad and regrettable."
Speaking to reporters, Kobakhidze claimed the ambassador was "directly involved in inciting radicalism and polarization" and said the episode showed "the negative face of European bureaucracy." He added that he no longer found it "interesting to comment on a specific ambassador."
He also criticized a European Commission spokesperson for voicing support for an opposition rally on October 4, calling the statement "direct, crude interference" in Georgia's internal affairs. "What more radical support can one imagine than this? The facts speak for themselves," he said.
Kobakhidze insisted that outside pressure would not undermine the country's political system. "We will not allow anyone to cast a shadow on our democratic system. No one can successfully attack Georgian democracy," he declared.
He warned, however, that such remarks from Brussels are eroding public confidence. "The most regrettable thing is that trust in the European Union is decreasing in Georgian society against the background of such statements," Kobakhidze said, urging EU officials to change course.
Georgian Young Lawyers Association to Miss Upcoming Elections for First Time
The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) announced it will not conduct a traditional election observation mission during the local self-government elections scheduled for October 4, 2025. It is the first time in the organization's 31-year history that it will be absent from the polls.
In a statement, GYLA described the current political climate as one of the most difficult in modern Georgia. "The backsliding of democracy in the country, the repressive policy against civil society organizations and the media, the adoption of restrictive laws, as well as the deterioration of the legal framework for observers under the election legislation, make it practically impossible for us to form a full-fledged observation mission," the group said.
Despite stepping back from direct observation, the association pledged to continue monitoring developments. "GYLA will continue to protect human rights and the rule of law and periodically present an assessment of the current legal environment to the public," the statement added.
