On July 13, Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), released a lengthy and incendiary statement accusing the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Western institutions of falling under the control of a so-called “Deep State” and experiencing a broader “crisis of values” and “democratic decline”.

This strongly worded letter was issued in direct response to recent remarks from 17 European Union foreign ministers and the EU’s High Representative, who jointly expressed grave concern over the worsening political climate in Georgia. Their statement urged the Georgian government to change course "before it is too late"—a warning delivered just two days before the EU is set to deliberate on potential responses to Georgia’s democratic backsliding.

Labeling the EU ministers’ concerns as a “blatant and unjustified assault on the Georgian people and their democracy,” Georgian Dream alleged that the criticism was based on disinformation reminiscent of “Soviet-era propaganda”. The party further asserted that the real motive behind Western reproach was frustration over the failure of pro-Western opposition forces, particularly the United National Movement (UNM), to regain power in Georgia.

According to the ruling party, this opposition had been openly backed by some EU diplomats and officials from the U.S., whom Georgian Dream accused of serving a transnational Deep State agenda. This conspiracy-laden narrative, long echoed in the party’s rhetoric, claims that an elite network of Western bureaucrats and intelligence-linked actors covertly shapes global politics and punishes governments that resist alignment.

The statement suggested that both the EU and the UK are governed by unelected interests that subvert democratic institutions. “The actions of the European bureaucracy have long overstepped moral boundaries,” the party claimed, arguing that unless a country installs pro-Deep State leaders, it becomes the target of sustained pressure and interference from the West.

An unusual claim made in the statement alleged that Brexit was orchestrated by these same forces to create a third global power center, apart from the EU and the United States, which could further the Deep State’s international objectives. “The purpose of Britain’s departure was not sovereignty, but to establish a new base of operation for the same hidden agenda,” the statement alleged.

Georgian Dream also aligned itself with President Donald Trump, expressing hope that he would be able to “defeat the Deep State” and restore sovereignty across the Western world. “We wish Donald Trump success in this critical mission,” the statement said, warning that failure to neutralize the Deep State would only lead to further disintegration of European values and increased hostility toward Georgia.

Response to Specific Allegations

The party also responded to specific allegations raised by European foreign ministers, including concerns over the detention of opposition leaders and other government critics ahead of upcoming municipal elections. Georgian Dream rejected these accusations, insisting that the arrests—eight individuals, including six opposition figures—were lawful and unrelated to politics. They stressed that only two of the jailed individuals, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of the Lelo party, were candidates for the upcoming October 4 elections.

The party emphasized that the relevant law under which they were detained had been on the books for nearly three decades and conforms to European legal norms. Moreover, GD cited recent remarks from party president Mikheil Kavelashvili, who offered to pardon imprisoned opposition figures if they pledged to participate in the local elections.

Turning to criticism of alleged arbitrary arrests of protesters and activists, the ruling party described this as an attempt to whitewash externally supported violence. Referring to mass protests in late 2024 that followed Georgia’s suspension of EU accession efforts, Georgian Dream accused Western-funded organizations such as USAID, NED, and EED of financing what it called a violent attempt to overthrow the government. The statement pointed out that other countries—including the UK, Germany, Sweden, Spain, and France—also have strict laws against assaults on law enforcement, claiming that Georgia’s handling of the situation was no different from what would occur elsewhere in Europe.

In response to European calls to repeal laws seen as suppressive, GD stood by its legislative initiatives, arguing that these measures were designed to protect Georgia’s sovereignty and prevent the erosion of its state institutions by foreign-funded actors. The party insisted the laws are fully consistent with international standards and legal principles.

Accusations Against Western European Nations

Notably, Georgian Dream took aim at Germany and France directly, accusing both of prosecuting opposition figures under politically motivated pretenses. “If there’s anywhere in Europe where justice is used to sideline opposition, it’s in Berlin and Paris,” the statement claimed. The ruling party also referenced recent events in Romania, where it claimed a presidential frontrunner had been subjected to vote annulment, legal prosecution, and a ban on running in the second round of elections—citing this as further evidence of Western hypocrisy on democratic norms.

Concluding its statement, Georgian Dream asserted that the European Union should not view the relationship with Georgia as a one-way street. “Just as Georgia needs Europe, Europe also needs Georgia,” the party emphasized, maintaining that Georgia’s path to development and sovereignty does not require compliance with what it described as increasingly authoritarian and ideologically compromised European leadership.