“The EU Embassy intends to participate in this year’s election campaign and sway voters’ decisions through visa-related issues unrelated to the local government elections,” Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili wrote on social media.

He emphasised that such large-scale intervention and the reckless attempt to alter the people’s choice at any cost represent a deviation from European principles.

“This post by the EU Embassy exposes the true intention behind Brussels’s unprecedented letter, which bypassed established procedures. Although August was verbally set as a deadline, communication between relevant agencies for the annual visa implementation report—due in December—has already been ongoing for four months.

It appears that, once again, just as last year, the EU Embassy intends to interfere in this year’s election campaign, violating the Vienna Convention and Georgian legislation, by attempting to influence voters’ opinions through visa-related issues unrelated to the local government elections.

We have long warned that such interference and relentless efforts to manipulate the people’s choice betray European values. Every such statement confirms our stance.

Notably, the embassy did not include banners asserting that ‘Brussels is demanding the abolition of Family Values and Transparency laws,’ Papuashvili added.

The European Union Delegation to Georgia shared information on social media, saying, “Focus on protecting rights and strengthening anti-corruption efforts, repeal freedom-restricting laws. The EU expects an update [on fulfilment of the EC recommendations] by the end of August. If there is no progress, full visa suspension may follow.”