For Georgia’s Buchukuri: 26 years after joining, Ivanishvili’s gov’t plans to leave CoE without public consultation

Anna Buchukuri, a member of the Gakharia for Georgia party, criticized the Georgian government’s decision to suspend participation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), calling it a betrayal of national interests.

“For the first time, the Council of Europe has officially stated that these elections were not recognized, thereby reinforcing the demand for new elections. This statement serves as a testament to Georgia and its citizens, who, despite enduring systemic violence, have valiantly defended their country’s future—not only its European path but also its national interests.

The Georgian Dream’s desperate reaction is a clear betrayal of those national interests. Georgia aspires to be part of the West because our national identity and interests are best protected within the civilized world. The government’s insistence on alternative formats, including the so-called 3+3, is not merely misguided—it undermines Georgia’s sovereignty.

What we are witnessing is a struggle to preserve our national identity. Tragically, 26 years after Georgia joined the Council of Europe and Zura Zhvania declared: “I am Georgian! Therefore, I am European,” Ivanishvili’s government, without any public consultation, now seeks to sever ties with this esteemed institution. This is nothing less than a betrayal of the Georgian people,” Buchukuri declared.

Tea Tsulukiani, head of the Georgian delegation to PACE, confirmed that while Georgia remains a member of the Council of Europe, the ruling party has decided to cease its participation in the Assembly’s work.