The Daily Beat: 14 May
On May 14, the Georgian Dream Parliament issued a statement criticizing the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the MEGOBARI Act. The statement described the act as “extremely hostile” and “factually flawed.” It labeled the act a “hostile act against the Georgian state, its people, and its government,” claiming that a “deep state” was responsible for its passage and the “unfair attitude” surrounding it. The statement also warned the U.S. Congress that the act could damage its reputation.
On May 14, Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili presented his annual report, which contained conspiratorial narratives and anti-Western sentiments aimed at traditional partners like the EU and US. Instead of focusing on parliamentary work and next year’s plans, he centered his speech on what he termed five “attempts at revolutions” in Georgia since 2020.
The Georgian Dream government has withdrawn its support for Zurab Pololikashvili’s bid for a third term as the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization. Georgia will instead support the candidate nominated by the United Arab Emirates, the GD government administration confirmed, adding that Pololikashvili’s candidacy was withdrawn at his own request.
In a written statement to the opposition media outlet Formula TV, Pololikashvili emphasized that it is a “big lie” to claim that this decision was made at his request or in consultation with him. He urged the GD Prime Minister to clarify the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of his candidature. “I learned about this decision from these ‘deep rats’ while boarding the plane, and I will provide live comments later upon my arrival,” stated Pololikashvili.
A British teenager has been arrested in Tbilisi on suspicion of drug offences. Law enforcement officers seized approximately 12 kilograms of marijuana and 2.068 kilograms of hashish from the suspect’s luggage during an inspection at Tbilisi International Airport. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment. The British Foreign Office has confirmed that it is “supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia.”
Former Defense Minister under the United National Movement government, Irakli Okruashvili, has been sent to pre-trial detention after Tbilisi City Court Judge Nino Tarashvili granted the prosecutor’s request. This follows his non-compliance with paying bail after he refused to appear before the GD parliament’s temporary investigative commission.
Speaking to the reporters, European Union Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński sharply criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for backsliding on democratic principles, further questioning the current government’s commitment to European values and willingness to join the 27-member bloc. He also said that the EU is trying to introduce sanctions against those responsible for violence.
Maka Botchorishvili, the GD Foreign Minister, attended the 134th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which took place in Luxembourg on May 13-14. The session was convened at the invitation of Xavier Bettel, the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers and Vice Prime Minister of Luxembourg. During her visit, Botchorishvili also met with Sabine Monauni, the Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, who serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Culture.
On May 13, Irakli Chikovani, the Vice Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Georgia, attended the United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin at the invitation of his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius. During the event, Chikovani delivered a speech at the panel titled “Peacekeeping Reform: More Effective and Safer Peacekeeping.” Chikovani highlighted the importance of UN peacekeeping missions, discussed new initiatives, and proposed solutions to ongoing challenges, according to a press release from the Defense Ministry.