Georgian PM calls for ‘healthy debate format’, says Gov’t ready for open discussion

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday said the key priority is the establishment of a “healthy” format for public debate, stressing that the Government is open and confident on all issues because it is, in his words, “working cleanly”.

Speaking on Imedi LIVE, Kobakhidze said that the format of discussions in the public space largely depends on the media, adding that the Government is ready to engage in consultations on how such debates should be conducted.

The Prime Minister noted it is essential to break what he described as an artificially imposed closed circle in Georgia’s political environment. He claimed that deliberate efforts had been made to fuel radicalisation in the country’s political system.

Kobakhidze accused opposition-linked media figures of contributing to this process, singling out one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, Nika Gvaramia, as playing a particular role. He said that aggressive language, insults and what he described as hysterical behaviour on air were not spontaneous expressions, but part of an intentional strategy to radicalise the media environment.

“When I had discussions with the participation of journalists, including so-called journalists representing the radical opposition, they tried in every possible way to sabotage healthy discussions on substantive issues,” Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister also referred to parliamentary debates on the so-called “transparency law”, saying that discussions were reduced to repeated accusations of it being a “Russian law”, which he argued prevented meaningful debate on the substance of the legislation.

“These are simple tasks. They receive instructions from their patrons that no healthy discussion should take place on any topic,” Kobakhidze said, adding that society needs access to information in order to make informed choices.

He noted that many important issues — including prices, the economy, infrastructure and corruption — have lacked rational public debate in recent years, instead being dominated by accusations, hostility and polarised rhetoric.

“If today you try to start an unprepared political discussion on prices, you are more likely to get a circus rather than a debate. That is why it is important to establish healthy formats where issues of public interest are discussed rationally, not in a polarised and hate-filled environment,” Kobakhidze said.

The PM added the Government is fully open to participating in any constructive discussion format and is awaiting proposals from the media.