Georgian official accuses Europe of attempting to undermine government

Kakha Kaladze, Secretary General of ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party and Mayor of Tbilisi, has publicly accused European bureaucrats of attempting to orchestrate government change in Georgia.

Speaking to reporters, Kaladze alleged that foreign actors seek to replace the current government with opposition-aligned proxies, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Bureaucrats from Europe do not favor the existing administration in Georgia. They aim to install their own agents through the opposition,” Kaladze stated firmly.

He further claimed that recent years have witnessed several foreign-funded coup attempts designed to topple Georgia’s government. “These efforts were backed by external patrons displeased with our patriotic government, which prioritizes the interests of the Georgian people. This is precisely what they oppose,” he added.

Kaladze also addressed criticism from European officials concerning Georgia’s recently enacted law on foreign agents, which came into effect on May 31. The law requires greater transparency for organizations receiving foreign funding.

“European critics argue that our transparency legislation undermines democracy,” Kaladze remarked. “Yet, ironically, they are simultaneously discussing similar bills in Brussels,” he noted, highlighting a perceived double standard.

The Foreign Agents Registration Act officially came into effect on May 31, following its passage by the Georgian Parliament in the third and final reading on April 1. Unlike the previously enacted “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence,” which was adopted amid widespread protests last year, this new legislation—modeled on the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)—introduces significantly stricter measures, including penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment. The law applies to both organizations and individuals engaged in foreign-funded activities.

By Vafa Guliyeva