If anyone wants a Maidan, they should hold it in their own country. Such a statement made today the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament.

According to Shalva Papuashvili, when radicalism was encouraged by foreign funding, the responsibility was lying with those foreign actors who were irresponsibly interfering in the internal affairs of the country.

“This radicalism has been fueled by certain foreign actors. The visiting MPs from 8 European countries directly encouraged the opposition and their activists to radicalise. They explicitly stated that what they see here is not enough and urged the opposition to follow the Maidan scenario.

Such direct calls lead to election non-recognition and violence. Yet, afterward, no one takes responsibility. Let’s be clear: no one will fight for Georgia more than we will. Those foreign actors will wash their hands, leave, and observe from afar, merely expressing concern if something happens here.

We see opposition activists who, while standing behind the Georgian flag, look to foreign powers to conduct our elections, appoint judges, and run the country. This mindset, supported by certain foreign actors, damages the very fabric of our statehood…

The domestic civic movement Shame was funded from the European Union budget and glorified violence, referencing a campaign romanticising Molotov cocktails. A European Parliament member even stood at their rally in front of a banner featuring a Molotov cocktail with the words “I threw it”. This is the result of foreign actors either lacking understanding or maliciously engaging in activities that harm our country”, - said the Chairman of the Parliament.