Georgian PM accuses EU ambassador of inciting violence amid protests

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, of fueling violence during recent protests outside the Georgian Parliament.

The accusations come after Herczynski's statement condemning violence against protesters and indicating the EU's efforts to impose sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations, Caliber.Az eports via Russian media.

Kobakhidze’s remarks followed Herczynski’s comments expressing the EU’s stance against the violence seen during the protests. The EU ambassador also lamented the lack of consensus within the EU on imposing sanctions on Georgia, although he stressed that efforts were being made to address the issue.

"Remember how he openly campaigned in favor of the collective national movement against the Georgian Dream," Kobakhidze said to reporters. "You know that he never once condemned the violent rallies that took place in Georgia. Accordingly, unfortunately, this man is also an accomplice of violence and continues to encourage violence, although his attempt in this case is unsuccessful."

Kobakhidze’s accusations were further supported by Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, who criticized Herczynski’s actions. Papuashvili described the ambassador’s comments as "unbelievable," pointing out that Herczynski had assumed the roles of both prosecutor and judge, instead of maintaining his diplomatic neutrality. 

Papuashvili also questioned whether the ambassador truly represented the entire European Union, suggesting that his stance seemed aligned only with those EU member states opposing Georgian authorities, while disregarding the views of Hungary and Slovakia.

On October 24, 2024, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia, with the Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party, which has been in power since 2012, emerging victorious. However, following the elections, protests erupted across the country, escalating on November 28 after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's statement that Georgia was suspending the process of opening EU accession talks due to what he described as blackmail from Brussels.

In response to the political unrest, EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski repeatedly condemned the actions of the Georgian Dream government. He also urged Georgian citizens to participate in the elections, calling for the country to return to its European development path. His remarks, which were perceived by many as supportive of the opposition, led to further tensions, as critics argued that Herczynski was effectively campaigning against the ruling party, thereby influencing Georgia's internal political affairs.

By Vafa Guliyeva