TBILISI, February 17 – Georgia’s president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Tuesday took a tough line on internal security and what he described as foreign pressure, as he delivered his annual state of the nation address to parliament.
In his speech, he criticized what he called interference from “European bureaucracy,” saying that since the start of the war in Ukraine, Europe has interfered in Georgia’s domestic affairs and applied double standards.
He said some outside actors still struggle to accept that Georgia is a sovereign and independent state.
Referring to the events of October 4, 2025, when an anti-ruling party rally clashed with police near the presidential residence on Atoneli Street in central Tbilisi, Kavelashvili said the developments exposed what he called the “real plans and goals” of radical groups. He accused them of attempting to seize state institutions through violence and carry out a coup.
He claimed the event was openly encouraged and supported by “external forces” and argued that the unrest could only serve the interests of what he described as “Georgia’s ill-wishers”.
In another part of the address, Kavelashvili said pressure and “blackmail” from outside actors, working through domestic forces, is aimed at escalating developments in Georgia and the wider region.
According to Interpressnews, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, cabinet members, heads of constitutional bodies and clergy attended the plenary session, which was dedicated exclusively to the address.
Kavelashvili also touched on education policy, saying Georgia should build a system that combines high-quality instruction with a sense of responsibility toward the country, shaping future generations from an early age, referring to a series of changes in the eduation system which has triggered strong pushback from students and academics.
