EU Ambassador Warns of Georgia’s Potential Return to ‘Dark Past’
BRUSSELS – The EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, has expressed concern over the country’s trajectory, warning that Georgia could revert to a “dark past” if democratic governance is not restored. The comments, made following a speech at an exhibition of photographs documenting Georgia’s pro-EU movement, have sparked outrage from the ruling Georgian Dream party. Herczyński stated that Georgia is at a “crossroads,” emphasizing that the country’s future hinges on its adherence to democratic principles, the rule of law, and human rights.
He cited the EU’s 2023 decision to grant Georgia candidate status as a pivotal moment, but noted a subsequent “misalignment” due to what he described as an “authoritarian model” adopted by the government. The ambassador highlighted ongoing concerns regarding restrictive legislation, violence against protesters, and disputed elections, arguing that these developments threaten Georgia’s potential membership within the European Union. He referenced the country’s tumultuous history, particularly the political and social turmoil of the 1990s and early 2000s, warning against a return to “dark times of violence, civil war, poverty, deprivation, corruption.”
Responding to Herczyński’s remarks, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze condemned the statements as a “direct threat” and threatened to summon the ambassador.
Other Georgian Dream officials echoed this sentiment, accusing the ambassador of attempting to incite civil conflict and impoverish the population. The situation follows a period of strained relations between Georgia and the EU, marked by accusations of external interference and attempts to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty. Recent restrictive laws, police violence against protesters, and the jailing of opposition figures have further exacerbated tensions.
The EU has repeatedly criticized Georgia’s democratic backsliding, describing the country as a “candidate country in name only.”
The ambassador’s warning underscores the ongoing challenges facing Georgia’s path toward EU integration and the potential risks associated with the current political climate.
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This is a serious concern that highlights the fragility of Georgia’s democratic progress.