Threats Against Georgian Prime Minister Discussed in the EU

The leader of France's "Patriots" party and candidate in the European Parliament elections, Florian Philippot, has labeled the EU a mafia organization following threats made by EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi against Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. On Thursday, the Georgian Prime Minister revealed that a member of the EU had frightened him by referencing the recent assassination attempt on Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico while discussing a foreign agents law.

Varhelyi later stated that the segment of his phone conversation with Garibashvili had been taken out of context. According to the political figure, the EU needs to be dismantled through France's exit from the union.

The assassination attempt on Fico occurred on May 15, after a government off-site meeting in the town of Ghandlova. A 71-year-old writer, Juraj Cintula, opened fire as the Prime Minister approached the gathered audience to greet them, injuring him with four bullets, one of which struck his stomach. His condition has since stabilized, and the attacker was arrested at the scene. Fico has repeatedly opposed arms supplies to Ukraine and has declared a ban on that country's NATO membership, emphasizing that Slovakia is not among those countries interested in turning against Russia.

Last week, the Georgian Parliament adopted a foreign agents law in its third and final reading by a large majority. The proceedings surrounding the document were accompanied by protests, and police dispersed demonstrators, detaining activists. The opposition insists that the document is an analogue of the Russian law on foreign agents.

Western countries have issued threats to Tbilisi. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre warned that the U.S. would fundamentally reassess bilateral relations if the law comes into effect. Jim O'Brien, head of the State Department's Office of Sanctions Coordination, stated that the U.S. could impose restrictions on Georgia if the bill passed by Parliament is not amended. Meanwhile, the EU has promised to freeze the Republic's application for EU membership.