Kobakhidze Rejects EU 'Pressure' on Gender and Marriage Laws, Defends Transparency Law
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, September 5, 2025
Ruling Party Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has vowed that Georgia will not allow changes to laws concerning gender recognition or same-sex marriage, accusing European bureaucrats of engaging in what he called a "shameful attempt at blackmail."
Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said, "I promise that in Georgia no one will be able to go to the Civil Registry and change from a woman to a man or from a man to a woman. This is my promise." He added that European officials are urging Georgia to repeal laws prohibiting same-sex marriage and gender changes in official documents.
Kobakhidze criticized EU institutions for refusing to engage directly with Georgian authorities. "As for our relations with EU bureaucrats, once again we tell everyone - let's sit down and talk. The fact that they refuse to sit at the table is clear proof that they have nothing to say. They are not afraid; rather, they are attempting shameful blackmail," he said.
Kobakhidze argued that the pressure contradicts the logic of human rights claims. "They tell us that unless we repeal the law that prohibits, for example, changing the gender record, they will not grant us privileges unless we repeal the law that prohibits same-sex marriage or partnership. If this law changes nothing, then why are they demanding its repeal if it is supposedly useless? Do you not see the logic?"
He cited other European countries facing similar pressures, including Hungary. "There are several countries still fighting this battle, and they are paying the price for it, including Hungary. Hungary's funding was suspended for two specific reasons: the LGBT issue and the fact that it does not allow migrants into the country. This is the face of the deep state and the European bureaucracy controlled by it today," Kobakhidze said.
He also defended Georgia's Transparency Law, which requires NGOs with foreign funding to publish annual declarations. He said the law is aimed at maintaining stability rather than restricting freedoms.
"They say that if we do not repeal the Transparency Law, they might punish us by revoking visa liberalization. The Transparency Law prohibits nothing; the only requirement it places on NGOs is to publish an annual declaration. When you serve the interests of a foreign power, the only thing required of you is transparency."
Kobakhidze concluded by framing the government's stance as a matter of national interest.
"We take responsibility for fully protecting our national interests. National interests mean safeguarding peace and stability in this country and ensuring its economic development," he said.
