Georgian parliament suffered half-million GEL damage during November protests, Speaker claims

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday claimed the legislative body in central Tbilisi had sustained approximately half a million lari in damage as a result of “violent protests” during November rallies, sparked by the decision of the Georgian Dream authorities late last year to halt EU integration until 2028, still continue in Georgia.

Papuashvili further claimed the damage to the parliamentary building was “extensive”, with key areas of the first floor and various equipment “almost completely destroyed.”

The Speaker emphasized that the alleged violence, “which was broadcasted live on television”, was “undeniable, yet some European diplomats had described the protests as peaceful.”

“From the facade, you could see the Georgian Parliament burning. How can they call this a ‘peaceful protest’?” Papuashvili questioned, expressing his frustration over the discrepancy between the visible destruction and diplomatic rhetoric. “How can European diplomats, who saw the violence unfold live, claim that this was a peaceful rally?”
The Georgian Parliament’s damage is estimated to be around 500,000 GEL, with 130,000 GEL already spent on repairs. The final cost is still being assessed, as ongoing evaluations of the damage to equipment and inventory continue.

Papuashvili criticized the international response, particularly from European diplomats, who he claimed had remained silent during the “violence and even downplayed the events.” “They saw the Molotov cocktails being thrown, they saw the police being attacked, and they saw the Parliament burning. Yet, some diplomats, instead of condemning the violence, called it a peaceful protest,” he said. “It is shameful that they could describe such acts as peaceful. It shows a complete disregard for values.”

The Speaker also made an appeal to European diplomats, suggesting that funds allocated to certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could be redirected to cover the damage caused by the protests. “If they are funding NGOs that contributed to radicalism, shouldn’t part of that money go towards repairing the damage caused to the Georgian Parliament?” Papuashvili asked.