For Georgia’s Sharashidze says CoE has no particular focus on Georgia, GD should stop this for self-promotion

“The aim of Georgian Dream is not to protect its country’s sovereignty, but to protect itself, its own party, and that’s why they’re adopting laws,” a member of the Gakharia for Georgia party, MP Giorgi Sharashidze, has stated.

According to him, Georgian Dream is using legislative changes to suppress dissenting opinions and to preserve its party.

“It’s not just Georgia being asked for advice; all Council of Europe member states are being asked for advice. This is not the same law; what matters is the purpose of the law, for what purpose you’re adopting this or that law. For what purpose is GD adopting this law? That’s what matters. The GD’s aim is not to protect its country’s sovereignty, but to protect itself, its own party. I believe nothing is surprising in the fact that normal states, those with fair courts where individuals can defend their own truth, would prioritise protecting their countries from foreign interference and ensure transparency. However, Georgian Dream is doing this to suppress dissenting voices, to preserve, defend, and safeguard its own party and grip on power. There is a very clear and significant difference here.

Regarding the sharing of experience, this is not a particular interest for Georgia. The request has presumably been sent to all Council of Europe member states; that’s how it is. Georgian Dream should not, at this point, use this for self-promotion. We will always remind them that they cannot draw this analogy or cite other examples, because what truly matters is something entirely different.

The purpose of the GD adopting laws is to preserve its own power, not to protect the country. If any other state, including EU member countries, considers similar laws, their intent is fundamentally different. Their aim is genuinely to safeguard their own nations from foreign interference.

In today’s fast-changing and highly unpredictable geopolitical landscape, it is only natural that nations are increasingly focused on safeguarding their sovereignty from external influences. Nothing is surprising in that,” stated Sharashidze.

For reference, the Council of Europe has requested member states, including Georgia, to share information on foreign information manipulation and interference.