On November 10, former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili made extensive comments for media about latest developments in the country. He made critical statements about official residence and workplace of the President of Georgia, about Rustavi 2 trial, Board Members of the National Bank of Georgia, and statements of OSCE and the Council of Europe about Georgia. 

Former PM was also critical of NGO representatives, referring to them as an extension of one of the opposition political parties. He was especially discourteous towards Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International – Georgia, by saying that her work “contaminates civil society.” 

Notably, the former PM made these statements the same day as Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission visited Georgia. Because it was Ms. Mogherini’s first visit to Georgia, it was especially important to showcase the progress made by Georgia towards European integration during the visit. Marking progress towards European integration is essential for our country, as it may serve as grounds for EU’s favorable decision on visa liberalization for Georgia. 

Meeting with civil society representatives to discuss current situation in the country was on the official agenda of Ms. Mogherini’s visit. During the meeting, NGO representatives highlighted the importance of visa liberalization process and discussed Russia’s increased propaganda and disinformation and accompanying threats. 

We would like to state the following: 

1. Critical statements about democratic institutions and international organizations made by the former Prime Minister during the visit of a high-ranking European official at this pivotal moment for Georgia’s European integration may have a negative impact on outcomes of the visit; 

2. Former PM continues to criticize democratic institutions that remain faithful to European values and contribute to Georgia’s integration in Euro-Atlantic space; 

3. Former PM’s attempt to link democratic institutions to opposing political parties for their critical opinions and to question their independence and credibility of their assessments suggests intolerance of differing opinions; 

4. Views of the former PM in light of his informal influence on Georgian authorities have a negative impact on formation of sentiments of various officials and politicians towards the democratic institutions. 

At this pivotal moment for Georgia’s European integration, we urge the former Prime Minister to refrain from making statements that will question independence of civil society, media freedom, pluralism, rule of law and judicial independence in Georgia. 

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)

Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF)

Civil Development Agency

Identoba

Economic Policy Research Center

Georgian Democratic Initiative (GDI)

Georgian Reforms Association (GRASS)