The Eagle Hills project is being implemented under Georgian legislation, in Georgia. However, in the event of a dispute between the Georgian state and Eagle Hills, British law will apply, and any potential dispute will be considered by Zurich arbitration. This is stipulated in the agreement,” said Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze during an interpellation session in parliament on November 26.
While Irakli Kobakhidze portrays the West as an enemy and claims to be fighting the so-called “deep state,” he simultaneously states that all potential disputes related to what the government considers its most important project will be resolved in the West.
Recent examples show that senior officials of Georgian Dream, while in office, verbally attack the West and the European Union particularly targeting Germany, an EU member state. Yet when they face personal crises and need to leave the country for reasons such as asylum, medical treatment, or education, they consistently choose Western countries.
Batumelebi spoke with two politicians in Adjara Aza Gabunia, regional head of the Freedom Square party, and Temur Gorgadze, regional head and political council member of Girchi – More Freedom asking them:
“As long as Georgian Dream officials remain in power and need to mobilize voters, their rhetoric revolves around identifying enemies and talking about a ‘deep state,’ which they claim exists in Europe and the West.
On the one hand, this damages Georgia’s European future, creates an enemy image, and harms political and diplomatic relations with Europe.
But what happens in reality? When the system turns its back on Georgian Dream representatives, or when their personal security is threatened as in the case of former Adjara government chair Tornike Rizhvadzе -they seek refuge in the very European countries they previously labeled as the ‘deep state.’
They flee to Germany, as Rizhvadzе did, and not to the East, which they claim to be their partners,” says Aza Gabunia.
According to Gabunia, the behavior of Georgian Dream officials is an example of political cynicism.
“This clearly shows that their anti-European rhetoric was pure hypocrisy a tool to maintain power, a Russian-driven narrative, rather than a genuine belief that Europe is a ‘deep state’ or an enemy.
It also shows a lack of trust in the law and the system at critical moments. Where did Tornike Rizhvadzе go when the safety of his family was at risk? Whom did he trust?
He did not trust the system he himself helped build and promoted for seven years. He convinced voters that Europe and the ‘deep state’ were enemies trying to strip Georgia of sovereignty and identity. Yet when he faced danger, he went to Europe because he knows perfectly well that Europe offers rule of law and a high level of security,” Gabunia says.
Gabunia notes that Georgian Dream operates under double standards: Europe is good enough for their own health, safety, families, education, and asylum but not good enough for the Georgian people.
“This is the face of Georgian Dream’s governance: double standards and betrayal of their own rhetoric when personal interests and security come into play.
They tell voters that Europe is the enemy, that the ‘deep state’ is there, that Georgia does not need Europe and must defend its sovereignty. In reality, sovereignty means strength, European partnerships, security standards, and the rule of law,” Gabunia adds.
Temur Gorgadze, regional leader of Girchi – More Freedom, says dictatorships need an enemy image.
“Dictatorships need a common enemy to mobilize and control people. Now they have invented this ‘deep state.’ According to their messaging, it controls the West, the East, the planet everyone except Kobakhidze.
Everyone who has fled or will flee Georgian Dream to the West knows perfectly well that no ‘deep state’ exists and that the West is good. But to establish and maintain authoritarian rule, they need an enemy narrative.
Rizhvadzе and others always knew the West was good. But at the time, they needed this messaging to retain power.
These are people educated in the West, whose children were born there to gain citizenship, who have businesses or seek partners there.
Everyone knows the West is good. Even if we put healthcare, education, and security aside, they go there for trivial services. For them, personal benefit matters more than the country,” Gorgadze says.
According to Aza Gabunia, these are simple lessons for citizens:
“To maintain power and win votes, Georgian Dream says the West is the enemy. But when a crisis hits, they run to Europe.
Voters should ask: if Europe and the West are enemies, why do you flee there when you are in trouble? Why do your children study there? Why do you seek treatment there? Why do you deny Georgian citizens access to European benefits?
The answer is obvious because Europe offers quality education, healthcare, and security,” Gabunia says.
Temur Gorgadze argues that Georgian Dream no longer has voters in the classical sense:
“A voter supports a party based on its vision and program. I have never met a Georgian Dream supporter who knows or supports its policies.
Georgian Dream rests on three pillars: propaganda, which works effectively; a rural support network built on material benefits; and fear and violence.
Some people genuinely believe absurd propaganda narratives. Under such influence, they do not draw conclusions from examples of former officials. Unfortunately, Georgian Dream’s propaganda machine works very well,” Gorgadze concludes.