GEORGIA: The anti-EU role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the parliamentary election

HRWF (28.10.2024) – Georgia’s ruling party won nearly 54% of the vote in Saturday’s parliamentary election, the electoral commission said on Sunday, as opposition parties disputed the result and vote monitors reported significant violations.

International observers said there were concerns with the electoral process both before and during elections in Georgia, fuelling polarisation between Georgian Dream and opposition parties who claim the result was “rigged.”

 

“During our observation, we noted cases of vote-buying and double-voting before and during elections, especially in rural areas” Iulian Bulai, head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe delegation, said.

 

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) deployed 529 observers across Georgia, including a delegation of 12 from the European Parliament.

 

There were various issues with the electoral process during the elections in Georgia, according to a Western delegation of observers co-ordinated by the OSCE

 

Whilst members said that voting on election day was generally well-organised, they pointed to a tense and pressured environment pre-election day as well as several instances of intimidation and procedural inconsistencies during the day itself.

 

In 24% of cases analysed by a delegation from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) voter secrecy was found to be compromised.

 

Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White, who represented a group of observers from the European Parliament, pointed to a tense and highly polarised environment for voters saying, “Although, outwardly, the campaign was quite subdued, there were signs that efforts were underway to undermine and manipulate the vote.”

 

The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has denied reports that the election was rigged. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said “The Georgian people made the only choice for which there was no alternative; they chose peace and the country’s development, its bright, European future.”

 

European leaders have been relatively quiet about congratulating the ruling party, with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán congratulating Georgian Dream.

 

While the anti-EU intrusive role of Moscow in the Georgian election has been clearly exposed, the influence of the Orthodox Church of Georgia opposed to the Western values has been at least as important, if not more.

 

The Georgian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox in full communion with the other churches of Eastern Orthodoxy, including with the Russian Orthodox Church, and it shares the anti-Western values of Patriarch Kirill. It is Georgia’s dominant institution with a membership constituting 83.4% of the population, the second largest religious community being Muslim (10.7%).

 

According to a 2013 survey, 95% respondents had a favorable opinion of its work. It is highly influential in the public sphere and is considered Georgia’s most influential institution.

 

Two reports by Tolerance and Diversity Institute highlight the role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the election

 

From 25 August to 25 September 2024, the Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI) monitored the election campaign in Georgia and published a report titled “Georgia:  Pre-election environment in terms of freedom of religion or belief, equality and secularism

 

  • Introduction
  • Failed Attempt to Declare Orthodox Christianity as the State Religion
  • Statements by the Georgian Dream Government regarding the Orthodox Church and Constitutional Amendments
  • The Position of the Patriarchate on Declaring Orthodox Christianity as the State Religion Statements of Opposition Political Parties Regarding the Orthodox Church and Constitutional Amendments
  • Speculation on the topic of Church in the Government’s Anti-Western Messages
  • The Orthodox Church and Clergy in the Ruling Party’s Pre-Election Campaign
  • Propagandist Statements by Representatives of the Orthodox Church
  • Conclusion

 

On 26 October, TDI published a second report entitled “Pre-election Environment: Freedom of Religion or Belief, Equality and Secularism”.

 

Table of content of the 26 October report

 

  • Key Findings
  • Propaganda Election Banners by the Georgian Dream Government’s Election Promises to Reflect the Special Role of the Church in the Constitution Speculation on the topic of the Church in Anti-Western and Anti-Opposition Messages of the Government
  • The Orthodox Church and Clergy in the Ruling Party’s Pre-Election Campaign Property Transferred to the Patriarchate by the State During the Pre-Election Period
  • Propagandist, Anti-Western Statements by Representatives of the Orthodox Church
  • Armenophobia

 

Excerpt from the 26 October report: Propagandist, Anti-Western Statements by Representatives of the Orthodox Church

 

During the pre-election period, some Orthodox Church clergy members made statements in public speeches and sermons in support of the government and against civil society, human rights, and the West.

 

On October 3, 2024, Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, signed a package of bills “On the Protection of Family Values and Minors” after Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili refused to sign it into law. (…)

 

On October 4, the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate responded to the adoption of this discriminatory and homophobic bill by issuing a statement supporting the passage of the law:

 

“[…] Moreover, the spread of LGBTQI propaganda has repeatedly created significant social division in society and even became a tool of tension in the hands of those who strive to deepen polarization. Given these tendencies, the law adopted by the current government of Georgia on the “Protection of Family Values and of Minors” is a positive step forward.

 

We hope this law will bring fruitful results for the wellbeing of our society, as it is a crucial and decisive step in protecting the traditional values that define the uniqueness of the Georgian nation.”

 

In a statement from the Public Relations Service of the Georgian Patriarchate of October 22, support for both the ruling party and its propagandist, anti-democratic initiatives is obvious.

 

The statement mentions the “protection of national and religious values,” “long-term peace,” and the “strengthening of Christian and family traditions,” which fully align with the election slogans of the Georgian Dream:

 

“Today, our country is on a crucial path. On the one hand, the protection of national and religious values, and on the other, the unification of the country, the preservation of sovereignty and peace, is the primary goal of both state institutions and society. We have repeatedly stated that the Georgian Orthodox Church, as the greatest unifier and protector of our nation and country, cannot appear as a political actor, but it will clearly support such a choice that will bring long-term peace to Georgia and strengthen those values in society that promote Christian and family traditions.

 

Therefore, amidst the heightened emotions and tensions of the election period, we ask the clergy in their statements and appeals to consider their special role in maintaining social unity and peace.”

 

Daniel Datuashvili, Metropolitan of Chiatura and Sachkhere, October 14: “The Church supports the advancement and development of the country based on its traditional values.”

 

Spiridon Abuladze, Bishop of Skhalta Diocese, October 1: “[…] When a nation is facing such a terrible trial, for which Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, and a flood occurred, and this is clearly coming upon our nation.

 

We see this horror in the ideology and propaganda of those 15 parties and their media, as well as the great danger of being drawn into a war that would engulf Georgia in flames, and at such a time someone is telling you to vote for this or vote for that […]

 

Let me say once again with full responsibility, as a clergyman, as instructed by the Holy Scriptures and my Mother Church, that those 16 who vote for those parties that have expressed solidarity with gay propaganda, expressed solidarity with transgenderism, and involvement of Georgia in war, will be subject to their sin and will be punished with them in eternal judgment.”

 

Spiridon Abuladze, Bishop of Skhalta Diocese, October 9: “Every moment we are threatened with sanctions, but the Mother of God protects us, and the God and the Mother of God have given Georgia a government that stands against this.

 

You see this, and this government is threatened with terror attacks, sanctions, and misfortunes, and it is as if they are asking, ‘How dare you ban sodomy and LGBT propaganda in Georgia? […]’ God has provided us with a government that defends this purity and morality, and we must all stand by it.

 

Every man must go and vote in the elections for Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili because he dared to do what others do not. Who doesn’t dare? The government of France, the government of England, the government of America, and the governments of Europe. They have become enslaved by the Antichrist, as you can see. […] Let me reiterate, those who do not vote in these elections for the government that has legally banned and destroyed this will play into their hands, the hands of those parties and forces of darkness, the hands of the West, who wish to bring debauchery, corruption, and the religion of the Antichrist to Georgia.”

 

Spiridon Abuladze, Bishop of Skhalta Diocese, October 20: “Today they are trying to completely destroy the institution of the family; today they are trying to destroy morality, decency, and order.

 

Today they are actively promoting LGBT, sodomy, homosexuality, and lesbianism.

 

Today there is aggressive propaganda for transgenderism. […] As you know, transgenderism is the gravest sin, sodomy is the gravest sin, and the gravest sin within sodomy is transgenderism, and today they are promoting this through mass media, through social networks, and through those parties that are funded, so to speak, by these anti-Christian countries. From the countries of the Antichrist.”

 

Archpriest Shalva Kekelia, October 20: “Imagine, the country has adopted a law against LGBT propaganda; the country has passed this law, and it tells you that if you adopt this law, you will not be able to join me; I will not accept you; I will cut off funding for you; I will act against you in this way. Exactly the same policy is today. […]

 

Look how the issue is presented: when I talk about this and when I don’t like this European policy, this kind of interference, and this kind of attitude, they view us as an inferior country, they compare us to an African country, imagine that, and they interfere like this and tell us what to do.

 

We never wanted to be treated like this. I did not want to receive instructions from Moscow, and that’s why I freed myself from Moscow, so it would not instruct me how to live. Today, they are doing the same from Brussels, the same from Washington, the same from America, and we want freedom; our people want freedom; that’s what Saint Ambrose Khelaia fought for. […]

 

A nation moves forward by God’s grace. I strongly believe that this country will become an exemplary country. This country will adopt the laws that please God, and this process has already begun in our country. God started it, not this government. God caused this government to start this process; He left the government no other choice and caused it to choose this path; and the path of God became the choice, and the government has already embarked on this path and is adopting the laws that are necessary for the country.”

 

Archpriest Shalva Kekelia, October 24: “I’m speaking directly to those who see themselves as members of the church…How can you give your vote to parties whose leaders insult your patriarch, criticize the church, and disregard the sanctity of the family?

 

For believers, the choice should be clear. […] The decisions must be based on consideration of ongoing processes, including attitudes toward religion, with each citizen bearing personal responsibility for their choice”.

 

Stepane Kalaijishvili, Metropolitan of Chkondidi, Tsageri, and Lentekhi, October 6: “Now let us weigh ourselves on the scales – foreigners tell us to follow them and wag their fingers at the government that passed the law protecting the family and opposing the sin of Sodom.

 

They wag their fingers and say that for adopting this law, you will be punished, you will not be allowed to join us, and all sorts of nonsense. This is a choice, and it is very clear – for opening negotiations, they want us to sign a ‘gay memorandum’ and allow the propaganda of this Sodom sin in Georgia. Therefore, this is not a difficult choice.

 

There is one force that, thanks God, is in power today and protects us, safeguards our values, and puts Christian values first. We have long wished to have a government that would raise its voice and defend our values.

 

Now we must see what these foreign-controlled forces are doing and what the next stage is. It may happen that we are fooled or intimidated, and they try to stage a coup. They are not active today, but they will be when these elections pass or during the elections, and if Western-controlled forces come to power, they will tell us that the sin of Sodom must take root in Georgia, and if you do not revoke that law, which protects our children and our future, then we will fight you, and they will declare such a fight against us as we have never seen.”

 

A contrasting statement supporting European integration was made by Zenon Iarajuli, Archbishop of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir (October 20): “Our ancestors, devoted to Georgia, once fought for Europe’s security alongside Georgia, and now Europe fights for us, for the descendants of our ancestors.

 

Yes, together with us, Europe now fights for Georgia, for its prosperity, peace, security, and the protection of its borders.

 

Today’s struggle is aimed at ensuring that Georgian citizens living in Europe and the West are not alienated from their homeland, and the homeland is not alienated from its children.

 

[…] Young people, you are the generation that needs no reminder that no one has ever been glorified by humiliating others. You respect the existence and life of every human being! So, with love and respect for one another, lead the tired older generations forward to a peaceful home on this earth. […]

 

Europe’s door is open, and from Georgia, the creator of the ancient Caucasian-European civilization, it awaits the dawn of a Georgian union with it. We go to the elections for Georgia’s European peace, for the declaration that Georgia is a bridge to Europe for Asia itself.”

Photo source: LCI

 Further reading about FORB in Georgia on HRWF website