Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has sharply criticized some European Members of Parliament, accusing them of attempting to interfere in Georgia’s internal affairs after recent criticisms directed at the Georgian government.

“Some European bureaucrats couldn’t install their preferred agents in power, which is why they’re making these statements,” Kaladze told reporters.

He claimed that certain European lawmakers disapprove of Georgia’s current leadership because it is “patriotic” and resists foreign influence.

“We understand their motives—this isn’t new to us or to Georgian society,” Kaladze said. “They’ve criticized our transparency law, claiming it threatens democracy, even though similar legislation exists in Brussels. Over the years, there have been repeated, foreign-funded attempts to change our government. These efforts are driven by patrons who dislike the fact that we defend national interests instead of serving foreign agendas.”

Kaladze argued that these external actors are frustrated because “they failed to bring their preferred agents to power—agents who would have followed foreign directives, even at the expense of Georgia’s sovereignty.”

The mayor’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions between the Georgian government and parts of the European political establishment, particularly amid debates over democratic standards, foreign influence, and proposed legislation in Tbilisi.