The Georgian opposition fears the country's Russification due to the mass influx of Russians

Irakli Pavlenishvili, one of the leaders of the Georgian opposition party United National Movement, stated that the mass influx of Russian citizens poses a threat of Russification in Georgia. At a briefing at Tbilisi International Airport, he called the airport "another gateway to Mordor" and promised that after the change of power, the country would be protected from the "Russian threat."

According to Pavlenishvili, a significant portion of people arriving from Russia are not coming to Georgia as tourists. The opposition leader emphasized that his party is not opposed to Russian tourists, but rather to what he called the displacement of Georgian citizens and businesses. He added that up to 40,000 Russian companies have been registered in the country since 2022. According to the politician, their presence increases pressure on Georgian small and medium-sized businesses.

Pavlenishvili also noted the intensity of air traffic between the two countries. According to him, there are more flights between Georgia and Russia now than ever before, including during the Soviet era. Specifically, several flights are operated daily to Moscow, and Georgian Airways, according to the opposition leader, operates approximately four flights per day. Furthermore, new routes to Russian industrial centers are being opened. In this regard, Pavlenishvili stated that the opposition is suspecting that air traffic could be used to circumvent sanctions. He cited the prospect of a "Georgia without Georgians" and the acceleration of Russification processes in the country as the main danger.

Another representative of the United National Movement, Lasha Parulava, stated that under President Mikheil Saakashvili, Tbilisi Airport became a regional aviation hub and "the main gateway to the Caucasus," whereas under the current government, he said, it has become "the main gateway to the northern enemy." Parulava also accused the Georgian authorities of turning the country into, as he put it, a "crypto-laundromat" for drug trafficking and Russian money.

At the end of August, Grigol Gegelia, a leader of the Strong Georgia – Lelo opposition coalition, stated that the country's authorities must respond to the growing number of Russian citizens crossing into Georgia through the Upper Lars checkpoint. According to the politician, the increased migration flow could create "a whole series of threats" for Georgia. The opposition, he noted, had proposed that the authorities reconsider their approach to this issue several years ago.

Gegeliya recalled that in 2021, Lelo – Strong Georgia presented the "Act on the Protection of Georgia," which proposed strengthening controls over migration flows and revising visa policy. He stated that the country's current entry regime is "absolutely inadequate," and that migration policy must take into account national security, demographic priorities, and the interests of peace in the region. However, the oppositionist complained, the authorities still have not taken the necessary measures.

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