In parallel with the ongoing civil protest against the “Russian law”, the leaders of the European Union and the United States of America called on the authorities to suspend the adoption of the draft law. It was announced on many international platforms that the draft law directly contradicts the process of Georgia joining the European Union and the partnership agreement with the United States of America.
Paradoxically, the MPs and representatives of the ruling party who have consistently availed themselves of Western support for the personal and professional advancement of themselves and their family members have been particularly notable for their pronounced anti-Western rhetoric.
Double Standards: MPs Endorse Russian Law, Rely on Western Healthcare
The medical field is highly developed in Western countries, particularly in the United States and advanced European nations. Innovative discoveries, the development of new medical technologies, and the formulation of effective treatment methodologies are largely attributable to substantial investments directed toward the advancement of healthcare in these regions. It is important to note that the “Russian law” raises concerns regarding the continued provision of grants and donations from international donors to the healthcare sector in Georgia, which could adversely affect the development of the country’s medical infrastructure.
It is noteworthy that the deputies who advocate for the “Russian law” and propagate anti-Western rhetoric, along with their family members, have opted to utilize the Western healthcare system rather than the Georgian healthcare system.
Avtandil Enukidze’s youngest child, Sofia Enukidze, was born in Lille, France.
Levan Kobiashvili’s children, Salome and Nikoloz Kobiashvili, were born in Freiburg and Duisburg, Germany.
Baya Kvitsiani gave birth to a child in London, United Kingdom.
Beka Odisharia, who is particularly distinguished by her anti-Western rhetoric, has a child, Manana Odisharia, born in the state of Illinois.
Anri Okhanashvili’s children, Mariam and Ana Okhanashvili, were born in Berlin, the capital of Germany.
Davit Songhulashvili’s eldest child, Cecily Songhulashvili, was born in Grenoble, France.
Aluda Ghudushauri’schildren, Elene and Shota Ghudushauri, were born in the United States of America and are therefore US citizens.
Mikheil Kavelashvili’s eldest daughter, Mariam Kavelashvili, was born in Manchester, England, and his youngest son, Guram Kavelashvili, was born in Zurich.
Double Standards: MPs Support Russian Law, Prefer Western Education
Millions of individuals from various parts of the world migrate to Western countries in pursuit of education, with universities in the United States and Europe serving as critical foundations for their career development. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Western education became accessible to Georgian youth, offering them the opportunity to study in Western countries rather than Moscow. It is noteworthy that European education also holds considerable significance for those deputies who support the “Russian law.” Specifically, at least 20 members of the families of deputies from the parliamentary majority have, at various times, pursued undergraduate or graduate degrees at institutions in the United States and Europe.
Nevertheless, it is significant that these deputies continue to endorse a law that not only casts doubt on Georgia’s potential membership in the European Union but also further distances the Georgian educational system from the advanced standards of Western education.
Gocha Enukidze’s daughter, Tinatin Enukidze, received a bachelor’s degree in economics and management from the Constructor University in Bremen, Germany.
Maka Bochorishvili’s daughter, Nino Ramishvili, studies at Collège Saint-Michel in Brussels and continues to live in Brussels. Maka Bochorishvili, between 2018-2020, served as an envoy at the Embassy of Georgia in the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union.
Zaza Lominadze’s eldest child, Eka Lominadze, lives in Germany. Eka Lominadze received her medical education in Germany and is employed at Idar-Oberstein Hospital.
As MP Giorgi (Gia) Volski in one of the interviews he says that his middle son, Sandro Volski, received higher education in New York. According to the information of “Monitor” studio, Sandro Volski works as a senior advisor in the US government contractor company, “CULMEN INTERNATIONAL”.
Giorgi Sosiashvili’s daughter, Natia Sosiashvili studies Master’s in security and human rights at the University of Tuscia in Viterbo,Italy.
Salome Kurasbediani, who is herself a supporter of the “Russian law” deputy, received her education in France, at the Toulouse Capitole University
Double Standards: MPs Advocate Russian Law, Prefer Western Benefits
In the process of democratic development and consolidation within a country, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role. These organizations are dedicated to addressing social, environmental, and humanitarian issues through policy advocacy, service delivery, and public awareness initiatives. NGOs often address matters that are inadequately covered by public agencies.
Paradoxically, some deputies who support the “Russian law” and disseminate anti-Western rhetoric have themselves been involved with the international or non-governmental organizations that this law labels as serving the interests of a foreign power.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, before entering politics, was the regional coordinator of the public education project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and then the expert and manager of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), local self-government, and regional development projects. In 2011–12, he was a member of the Expert Committee of the Human Rights and Rule of Law Program of the “Open Society—Georgia” Foundation.
For 17 years, the chairman of parliament, Shalva Papuashvili,served as an employee of the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ). In the latter years of his tenure, he also held the position of head of the organization’s Georgian team.
Over the years, Givi Mikanadze has held various roles, including serving as a legal advisor and financial manager for a United Nations project, a national expert for the European Union’s “Reform of the Penitentiary System” project, director of an OSCE project, and project manager for the Council of Europe.
Throughout her career, Maya Bitadze has served in various capacities, including as a legal expert for the World Bank’s “Georgian Protected Areas Project,” a legal consultant for the OSCE project “Aarhus Center,” and Chairman of the UN Economic Commission for Europe, as well as participating in the Meetings of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention and its Bureau.
Beka Davituliani served as a lawyer-consultant for “Media House Decom” LLC and was also an employee of “Liberal” magazine. “Media house Decom” LLC managed the magazines “Hot Chocolate” and “Liberal,” as well as “Hot Chocolate” radio.
At various points in his career, Irakli Beraia held positions including coordinator for Western Georgia with the Red Cross Society of Georgia and regional coordinator with the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Georgian delegation of the Federation.
Anri Okhanashviliserved as a scientific associate for the German-Georgian scientific project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation (VW-Stiftung) and was also the editor-in-chief of the “Georgian-German Electronic Journal of Criminal Law.”
Over the years, Sozar Subari has served as an advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, a correspondent for the US-based “Radio Liberty,” and the director of the Rule of Law Project at the NGO “Freedom Institute.” In 2004, he received a grant from the Open Society Foundation of Georgia for training in connection with the “Spektri” newspaper project.
Archil Talakvadze, currently a Georgian Dream MP, indeed held the position of Deputy Director of the USAID Democratic Governance Project in Georgia from 2011 to 2012.
The purpose of this article is to highlight the paradoxical reality faced by deputies who support the “Russian law.” Despite the law’s impediments to Western integration and the often critical stance towards the West adopted by these deputies, they and their families continue to benefit from European advantages, particularly in the realms of healthcare and education. It is evident that MPs or their family members frequently seek medical treatment in European countries and enroll their children in Western schools and universities. Moreover, some family members of these MPs reside abroad in European countries, enjoying a high quality of life. These observations underscore the stark contrast between their public positions and their personal choices.
The information provided in the material is public and has been sourced from the MPs’ declarations and biographies.
