In Georgia, members of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia bloc have outlined a strategy they say is aimed at shaping the public response to Tbilisi’s pursuit of European Union membership. A recent statement attributed to Irakli Chikovani emphasized that opposition figures are hoping for a negative reaction to Georgia’s EU candidacy prospects as a way to sow disruption. The remarks were reported by the TV channel Imedi and cited by press coverage across national outlets, highlighting the partisan lens through which EU talks can be viewed.
Chikovani asserted that opposition representatives prognosticated a negative recommendation on the candidate status in order to destabilize conditions and ignite chaos. He described this tactic as a clear and undeniable intention, suggesting that those in opposition are already seeking a new issue to rally around for their broader campaign. The characterization reflects ongoing tensions in Georgian politics as parties debate the country’s path toward the European Union and its potential membership status.
Earlier statements from Georgia’s parliamentary leadership called on opposition groups and civil society to engage in the planning and execution of a broader reform and integration roadmap. Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said involvement from different political actors and the civil sector could help Georgia secure the necessary milestones and demonstrate its readiness to pursue EU candidate status. From his perspective, constructive collaboration would reinforce the country’s trajectory toward membership negotiations and set a clearer path for reforms required under EU guidelines.
In parallel, the European Commission indicated that Georgia could be granted candidate status if it meets specified conditions. Key among these is the need for Georgia to align its actions more closely with the EU’s common foreign and security policy. The recommendation underscored the importance of consistent policies and coherent implementation across Georgian institutions, signaling that progress on these fronts remains essential for advancing Georgia’s EU ambitions.
The formal decision on granting candidate status will rest with leaders of EU member states at the Brussels summit scheduled for mid-December. A unanimous agreement from all current EU members is required for the final determination, underscoring the consensus-driven nature of EU enlargement processes and the careful consideration that such status entails for Georgia and its partners. The discourse surrounding this decision continues to shape domestic political debate as Georgia weighs its options and timelines in the run-up to the summit.
Earlier discussions in Georgia noted that opposition efforts were sometimes framed as attempts to delay the country’s integration with the European Union, a theme that has resurfaced amid recent developments and public debate about the best path forward for Georgia’s national interests and regional role. These conversations reflect a broader context in which political actors, international partners, and civil society all play a part in defining Georgia’s future relationship with the EU and its institutions.