Georgian Dream parliamentary leader Mamuka Mdinaradze responded to the European Commission’s letter by claiming that visa liberalization threats are being used to stir fear and pressure the Georgian public.
“The only major ‘trump card’ left is to incite internal unrest through fear — using visa liberalization as a tool to manipulate public opinion,” Mdinaradze said on Imedi TV.
He claimed that ever since it became clear that Georgia would not get involved in the war, some foreign actors shifted their focus to changing the government.
“They mocked those who truly cared about peace, asking, ‘So you want war?’ But today it’s obvious: Georgia is surrounded by conflict zones, and our government has made it clear we won’t be dragged into war,” he said.
Mdinaradze alleged that Western interests want a government in Georgia that would align with their agenda — one that would, “at the snap of a finger,” follow orders and push the country into conflict.
He accused the opposition and its “foreign sponsors” of using visa-related fear tactics to push for regime change.
“This blackmail — tying visas to political demands — is their final strategy. But blackmail loses its power once people see through it. We know this is being coordinated for early to mid-September. Their goal is simple: scare people into removing their government and installing one that will take Georgia to war. But we’ll overcome that too,” Mdinaradze stated.
Related story: Kobakhidze: Peace matters more than visa-free travel
