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2.7 EU ‘taking appropriate steps’ on Georgia’s alleged spying on EU diplomats
Peter Stano, lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union, stated on September 17 that alleged spying conducted on the EU diplomatic mission in Georgia “is a very serious matter.”
“This is a very serious matter since it has implications in the framework of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” Stano was cited as saying by Rikard Jozwiak of RFE/RL on Twitter.
“We’re taking appropriate steps in this context as we always do in such situations, but given the nature of the alleged incident, we will not say more at the moment,” added the lead spokesperson.
Georgian media outlets reported that recently leaked alleged files of the State Security Service include details on conversations of EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell, US diplomats, Israeli Ambassador Ran Gidor, as well as employees of other diplomatic missions in Georgia.
Formula TV, which has seen the leaked files, reported on September 15 that the documents included a brief on Hartzell’s plans to attend a meeting of diplomats with clergy on October 9, 2020, as well as the ambassador’s discussion with another EU Delegation employee on the Georgian Orthodox Church’s stance on holding religious rituals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Gharibashvili accused the opposition of “fabricating” leaked materials. “We understand very well that this severe campaign, which was directed against the [Georgian Orthodox] Church and the government, now against diplomats, serves only one political, narrow party interest.”
2.8 Polls & Sociology
New poll for Georgia local elections gives GD 36%, UNM 27%
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party is expected to receive 36% of the vote while the largest opposition party United National Movement (UNM) is likely to get 27% of the vote in the upcoming municipal elections nationwide, according to an Edison Research poll.
Per Edison Research’s survey the results for political parties nationwide are as followed: Georgian Dream - 36%; United National Movement - 27%; For Georgia (former PM Giorgi Gakharia) - 11%; Labour Party - 4%; Lelo - 4%; Girchi - More Freedom - 4%; and other parties at 2% or less.
For Tbilisi, incumbent Kakha Kaladze (GD) is projected to receive 43% of the vote, against 30% for Nika Melia (the united opposition’s joint candidate) and Gakharia’s 12%.
The mayoral candidate must receive more than 50% of votes in the local self-government elections while the majoritarian candidate must obtain over 40% of votes to gain the victory in the first round.
Edison Research’s survey reports that 12% of GD voters in the 2020 parliamentary elections are now supporters of the For Georgia political party which was established by Gakharia soon after his resignation in February.
12 GEORGIA Country Report November 2021 www.intellinews.com