Ruling party’s response to EU criticism ‘unimaginably horrifying’, opposition member

Ana Tsitlidze, a member of the United National Movement opposition, has denounced the ruling Georgian Dream party’s reaction to recent EU criticism, calling it “unimaginably horrifying” and warning that the country was drifting away from its European path.

Tsitlidze made the remarks after Georgian Dream responded to a joint statement issued by 17 European countries and the EU’s High Representative, which expressed “deep concern” over Georgia’s democratic trajectory and urged a return to European integration.

“If there is such a thing as a ‘deep state’ in Georgia, it is Bidzina Ivanishvili [the founder and honorary chair of the GD],” Tsitlidze said. 

“The country is being run by a gang of criminals serving their own interests at the expense of national security.”

Georgian Dream’s political council had claimed that the EU statement demonstrated the influence of the so-called deep state in Europe and the UK, and accused European institutions of undergoing a “democratic backsliding” and “value crisis.”

Tsitlidze condemned the ruling party’s tone as reckless and dangerous. “This statement shows the kind of sick mindset that now governs Georgia,” she said. “They are endangering the country’s future for their own power.”

She added that the EU’s message was “a very harsh warning” and predicted that targeted sanctions could follow. “Our partners have made it clear they will not tolerate political persecution, repression, and the abandonment of democratic principles,” she said.

Tsitlidze claimed the statement marked a historic low in Georgia’s relationship with Europe, saying “for the first time, 17 key European countries are openly saying Georgia is no longer on the path of democracy - that it is turning away from Europe and towards Russia.”