Ivanishvili Accuses Opposition of Undermining Georgia's European Integration

Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party, has accused opposition members of sabotaging Georgia's accession to the EU.

"With constant attempts to divide society, cause unrest and coups, and sabotage against the state, they have caused significant damage to Georgia, including from the point of view of European integration," he said at a pre-election rally.

Ivanishvili stressed that after receiving a constitutional majority, the authorities will ban the activities of the country's largest opposition party, the United National Movement, and hold its members accountable "for crimes committed against their own people, including war crimes."

According to him, this political force has become the main factor hindering Georgia's long-term and stable development. Given the narrow party political interests and assignments from foreign partners, the National Movement is ready to open a second front in the country, Ivanishvili claims.

The day before, following the summit, the EU heads of state in Brussels made a decision to effectively block Georgia's European integration process. The reason for this was its adoption of contradictory laws that run counter to European values.

"We call on Georgia to adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms in line with the fundamental principles of European integration," the statement by the European leaders reads.

The EU accuses the ruling party of moving away from democracy and blocking the process of Georgia's admission to the organization.

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