Ukrainian political analyst accuses Georgian Church of supporting ruling party

Controversial Ukrainian political analyst Vitaliy Portnikov has accused the Georgian Orthodox Church of allegedly supporting the ruling Georgian Dream party in this year’s parliamentary elections. Portnikov said that the Georgian Church “is in the orbit of the Russian Orthodox Church” and hinders the democratic development of Georgian society. He said this on the air of the Espresso TV channel.

“This (the results of the elections in Georgia — ed.) will be supported by the Georgian Orthodox Church, which is a rather serious force that restrains Georgian society in its development. At least we have a Ukrainian church and a Russian church, and we understand that the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate is a conservative force, while Georgia has its own church, but it is clearly and civilized in the orbit of the Russian Orthodox Church, and it actually helps the Georgian Dream in its attempt to retain power. Why is this so? Because former President Saakashvili and his associates were not only reformers, but also talented PR specialists who hid the real state of affairs in society behind the scenery of a great reformist success,” — Portnikov said.

As reported, on October 4, 2024, the Georgian Orthodox Church issued an official statement in which it supported the law passed in Georgia prohibiting LGBT propaganda. The Church hopes that this law will be an important step in protecting the family and the well-being of society.