Speaking in the European Parliament during debates on the “Deepening Democratic Crisis in Georgia,” MEP Thierry Mariani denounced what he described as unprecedented media and political pressure exerted by European institutions on Georgia over recent months. He argued that these actions undermine the legitimacy of Tbilisi’s state institutions, its judiciary, and the sovereign choice of Georgian voters.

Mariani claimed that such pressure amounts to interference driven by foreign NGOs and transnational networks, with the European Parliament playing a central role. Referring to funding allocations, he stated that around €24 million had reportedly been provided in recent months to support these organizations. According to Mariani, this funding reflects an ambition within EU circles to bring down the Georgian government because it refuses to comply with what he called the European Commission’s “admonishments.”

He further argued that Georgia is being criticized not for democratic failings, but for defending its constitutional order and resisting destabilization efforts, whether originating from Russia or from Europe itself.

Concluding his remarks, Mariani questioned who is truly responsible for worsening the democratic crisis. He suggested that EU institutions in Brussels should examine their own actions, pointing to Romania—where presidential elections were cancelled on what he described as questionable grounds—and France, where leading political contenders face bans from running for office.