New pre-election banners of the ruling Georgian Dream party appeared in Tbilisi, which the country's president, Salome Zurabishvili, called "shameful and offensive to culture, traditions, history and faith." They have photos of the consequences of Russian aggression in Ukraine, which are ambiguously compared to peaceful Georgian cities.
Points of attention
- The ruling Georgian Dream party faced backlash for using photos of destroyed Ukrainian cities in pre-election advertising, causing outrage from the President of Georgia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
- The party's strategy aims to create fear by implying a threat if the opposition comes to power, depicting a narrative of potential war if the current government is not maintained.
- Ukraine strongly opposes the use of war as a political tool and expressed condemnation towards the Georgian banners with images of destruction in Ukraine, calling for refraining from exploiting war for internal political struggles.
- The Georgian National Legion, formed to support Ukraine's independence, highlights the geopolitical complexities with Russia's influence in Georgia, including alleged infiltration of Georgian politics and promises of NATO and EU membership.
- Despite political tensions, Ukraine continues to support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging for peaceful and democratic parliamentary elections in the country while pursuing a strategic course towards EU and NATO membership.
The Georgian Dream party cynically used photos of destroyed Ukrainian cities in advertising
The campaign banners on the left side depict cities, buildings and churches destroyed as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including Mariupol, with the inscription "No war!".
Also, the campaign numbers of four major opposition parties and associations — Coalition for Change, Unity — National Movement, Strong Georgia, and Gakharia for Georgia — have been crossed out on the posters.
Instead, on the right side, the objects built and restored by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, as well as Batumi at night with the inscription "Choose peace" are depicted.
The "Georgian Dream" party confirmed that these banners are part of their election campaign, the purpose of which is to remind the population "where the opposition is leading the country." The party claims that if the opposition comes to power, war awaits Georgia. This narrative is also shared by the authorities of the Russian Federation.
The new banners have already been criticized by the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, calling them "shameful and offensive to culture, traditions, history and faith."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine sharply condemned Georgian banners with photos of destruction in Ukraine
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers it unacceptable to use images of the consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine in political advertising.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine condemns and considers the use of images of the terrible consequences of Russia's merciless war against Ukraine, the suffering and blood of thousands of innocent people, the destruction of church shrines and the cultural heritage of humanity in political advertising unacceptable.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the government of Georgia, the ruling party "Georgian Dream" and all interested parties to refrain from using the topic of aggressive war against Ukraine and its citizens in the internal political struggle in Georgia.
The Georgian people may not be afraid of a new war as long as Ukraine resists Russian aggression. The terrible price of this resistance is also the price of peace in Georgia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that Ukraine will consistently, steadfastly and resolutely continue to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, and expressed hope that the parliamentary elections will be held in a peaceful and democratic manner, and the Georgian people will continue the strategic course towards joining the EU and NATO .
The authorities in Georgia are occupied by the Russian Federation
In 2014, Mamuka Mamulashvili created the "Georgian National Legion". The main goal is to help the Ukrainian people to preserve their independence. The "Georgian Legion" has become one of the largest foreign military formations in Ukraine.
Mamuka told Online.UA why Georgian volunteers are fighting for Ukraine, how many criminal cases have been opened against them in Russia, how the FSB works in his native country and why the victory of Ukraine is important for Georgia.
Russia was able to invest huge amounts of money in the political direction of Georgia. Georgian collaborators, such as former Prime Minister Ivanishvili, infiltrated Georgian politics by promising that the authorities would lobby for Georgia's accession to NATO and the European Union.
