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UK Ministers Raise Concerns Over Georgia's Democratic Backsliding in Undisclosed Calls with Georgian Dream Officials
Previously undisclosed conversations between senior UK officials and members of Georgia's ruling party came to light after a written exchange in the British Parliament revealed that London had raised concerns about democratic backsliding in Georgia.
UK Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, spoke with Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on October 16 and with First Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Zurabashvili on October 21. Georgia's Foreign Ministry did not publicize either exchange.
The calls became public only after House of Lords member Simon Murray pressed UK Minister of State for International Development Jenny Chapman for details on the government's engagement with Georgia. In her written response dated December 1, Chapman said the UK remains "severely concerned by democratic backsliding in Georgia, including restrictions on free speech and policing of protests." She added that these concerns were communicated directly to Botchorishvili and Zurabashvili during the October conversations. Chapman also referred to them explicitly as the Georgian Dream's foreign minister and deputy foreign minister, underscoring London's view that the ruling party now holds direct control over the foreign affairs portfolio.
Chapman said the UK is supporting efforts within the OSCE and the Council of Europe "to press Georgia to adhere to democratic norms."
Asked about the exchanges on December 2, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze confirmed they took place by phone but offered no additional details.
Georgia Accelerates Migrant Expulsions as Government Plans Major Expansion of Enforcement
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a December 1 cabinet meeting that Georgia has expelled 1,131 people so far in 2025, describing the figure as a dramatic jump in enforcement activity and outlining plans for an even more aggressive approach next year.
According to Kobakhidze, removals carried out between January and November equal the total number of expulsions recorded over the previous seven years. "We have already made substantial progress, but the Migration Department still needs additional reinforcement," he told ministers. He said the Interior Ministry is working on further upgrades to its capabilities and declared that the government intends to remove "at least 3,500" people in 2026, with the broader goal of eradicating illegal migration within "three to four years."
Kobakhidze presented the enforcement surge as evidence that the state is finally catching up to years of lax oversight. "This is just the beginning," he said, promising that next year's efforts will be on an even larger scale.
