Prepared by Messenger Staff
US Embassy Responds to Georgian Dream Official's Claims of Interference
The United States Embassy in Georgia has sharply rebuked Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the Georgian Dream party, following his accusations of US interference in ongoing protests in Georgia. Mdinaradze had criticized the US Embassy for its actions, claiming that they were inconsistent with the policies of President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio.
In response, the Embassy stated: "Mr. Mdinaradze's statements today are categorically false and demonstrate a lack of understanding of what the United States Embassy does to support President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio's top priorities of making America safer, stronger and more prosperous."
Mdinaradze had previously called the US Embassy in Georgia the "lower echelon" of the new US government and claimed that its actions did not align with the statements of the US leadership. He expressed concerns about the "Deep State" in US foreign policy, implying that the Embassy was acting contrary to the interests of the American people.
"It is unfortunate that the statements and narratives of the newly elected government of the United States of America are one and the actions of its lower echelons, including the American Embassy in Georgia, are completely out of step with the statements that we hear," Mdinaradze said, claiming that the Embassy's involvement in organizing recent pro-EU protests was an example of this perceived inconsistency.
GD Government to Abolish Civil Service Bureau Amid Criticism
The Georgian Dream (GD) government announced on February 3 that the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) will be abolished on April 1, 2025, as part of efforts to "rationalize governance and optimize expenses." The government argued that the Bureau's responsibilities, such as monitoring officials' declarations, have already been taken over by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, making the CSB's continued existence unnecessary.
Established in 2004, the CSB was key in aligning Georgia's public service with European Union standards. However, many employees have criticized the decision, believing it is aimed at silencing dissent within the civil service. Nino Tsukhishvili, a CSB employee, accused the government of undermining efforts to maintain a professional and politically neutral public service. She linked the Bureau's closure to recent amendments to the "Public Service" law, which, she claimed, were used to dismiss staff who opposed government policies.
In December 2024, 15 CSB employees spoke out against the law's amendments, arguing they would reduce legal protections for public servants and undermine efforts to create a merit-based, accountable civil service. Civil society organizations, including GYLA and JSC, also condemned the changes, calling them repressive and harmful to democracy.
Despite the criticism, GD officials, including Irakli Kobakhidze, defended the amendments, framing the dissent as part of a "self-cleansing" process within the civil service, accusing critics of being manipulated by "foreign agents."