Kobakhidze: We Must Bring Back Public Debates

2026-01-25 - 21:07

Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spoke about the importance of public debates for democracy and for people to make political decisions based on “proper analysis” in a January 22 letter, while accusing “informal forces” and their “Georgian agents” of creating a polarized media environment in the country. “We are obliged to correct this unhealthy situation; we are obliged to return to the Georgian people the right to enjoy one of the fundamental principles of democracy – debate – and not allow informal forces and their ‘Georgian’ agents to impose their own agenda on us. So that in the future the Georgian people can make every choice based on proper analysis, we must allow them to publicly hear the positions of all political groups that have ambitions to be in government. We must return public discourse to public life, which is vital for the functioning of a full-fledged democracy,” Kobakhidze wrote on Facebook. The letter drew swift reactions from opposition politicians and critical broadcasters, inviting Kobakhidze and other Georgian Dream members to appear live on television for debates. The letter begins by defining debates as a “discourse about the truth” and “one of the main pillars of democracy,” highlighting their societal benefits and calling them “one of the most distinct parts of European civilizations.” It then claims that the situation in Europe “gradually changed for the worse since 2008,” which Kobakhidze attributed to what he called the “growing influence on European politics of the so-called ‘deep state,’ that is, informal oligarchic rule.” Blaming the establishment for “agents’ rule” and “pseudo-liberal values,” Kobakhidze said the “informal rulers themselves created artificial problems,” citing “LGBT and gender identity issues, ‘green politics’ and others.” He added that they “redirected” public attention from real issues to artificial ones, resulting in what he described as the “total disappearance of healthy debates” from European politics. “Especially since 2020, well-known, high-rating debates in leading European media outlets have been repeatedly canceled, removing from public life the opportunity for discussion and hearing differing opinions,” he claimed. Turning to Georgia, Kobakhidze said the same process had “partially affected” the country, claiming it led to the end of what he called “the many-years-long culture of political, economic and social debates.” He blamed Nika Gvaramia, former head of once opposition-leaning Rustavi 2, founder of Mtavari TV, which went off air last year, and now-jailed opposition figure, for carrying out what he described as the “total radicalization” of the media. “Gvaramia successfully carried out the task – he established lies, insults, cursing, slander, and hysteria as the media standard, ultimately creating such a toxi media environment that a normal, healthy person no longer wants to participate in debates, which ultimately end in humiliation,” he said. In turn, he added, the situation had “split society” and deprived it of “the right to hear different positions and make choices according to one’s own views.” Kobakhidze concluded that the “unhealthy situation” must be corrected and the Georgian people’s right to public debate “restored” so they can make informed choices. The letter drew both surprise and criticism from opposition leaders and media representatives, who often say they are either not invited to appear on pro-government channels or that ruling party members decline invitations to sit with critical outlets. Zurab Japaridze, leader of the opposition Girchi-More Freedom, responded on Facebook that he was ready to debate Kobakhidze “in any format, at any time.” Misha Mshvildadze, director of opposition-leaning Formula TV, said the channel was “ready to host debates between Kobakhidze and any opponent.” Grigol Gegelia, one of the members of the opposition Lelo party, questioned whether Georgian Dream representatives would actually agree to debate opposition figures and said he was also ready to take part. For many years, opposition and government representatives have rarely appeared together on TV. Moreover, opposition figures usually appear on critical, opposition-leaning outlets, while ruling party members stick to pro-government channels. Also Read: 06/12/2024 – Irakli Kobakhidze Vows to ‘ Completely Neutralize’ Opposition 07/10/2025 – Kobakhidze Offers Reset With West, Threatens to End Rustaveli Protests 03/06/2025 – Georgian Dream Targets Critical Broadcasters for Questioning Government Legitimacy 01/04/2025 – GD Rubber Stamps FARA, Broadcasting Law Changes, Revives Treason, Removes Gender, Excludes CSOs