Georgia defends decision not to expel Western ambassadors

Georgia’s ruling party has sought to explain why the government has not expelled Western ambassadors accused by some officials of overstepping diplomatic boundaries.

Irakli Kirtzkhalia, leader of the parliamentary majority, said that many European countries and institutions are under the influence of what he described as a “deep state,” Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media.

“Many leading European nations, as well as the European Union and its bureaucratic structures, are influenced by the ‘deep state’,” Kirtzkhalia said.

“Demands from the Georgian public to expel certain ambassadors would be counterproductive as long as appointments are decided by the European bureaucracy led by this so-called ‘deep state’.”

He added that Georgia had spent years building relationships with individual countries and would not allow “Euro-bureaucracy and the undiplomatic actions of certain ambassadors” to undermine the progress achieved.

Tensions in Georgia have flared following violent clashes in Tbilisi earlier this month. The unrest erupted on October 4, 2025, during municipal elections boycotted by major opposition parties, amid growing accusations that the ruling Georgian Dream party is eroding democratic norms and steering the country away from its pro-European course.

Protesters gathered outside the presidential palace, accusing the government of election fraud and corruption. Police responded with water cannons and pepper spray as some demonstrators tried to breach security barriers.

Several protest leaders have since been detained on charges of attempting to overthrow the government.

By Aghakazim Guliyev