imedi /  18 May 2026, 18:13 / Reliable source

Georgian Parliament Speaker calls for restoring “Georgian values” in all areas of public life

Photo: Parliament of Georgia

Shalva Papuashvili

Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said that the use of hate speech on social media is not merely an issue of aesthetics or emotions, but a matter of national security.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that the promotion and spread of hate and hostility are tools that can be exploited by those who are hostile to the country.

He argued that such methods are used to influence Georgia’s internal political environment, create confusion in society, and incite confrontation among citizens.

He emphasised that this form of communication should be understood as a security challenge rather than a purely social or ethical one.

“Hate speech is not just a question of aesthetics or emotions; it is a matter of state security”, he said, adding that similar methods are allegedly used to destabilize countries by fostering division and mistrust within society.

Papuashvili also called for a proactive state response to prevent the use of such tools against Georgia. He said that institutions should take responsibility for limiting the impact of hate speech and hostile messaging in the public space.

The speaker further argued that all spheres of public life should be aligned with Georgian values. He claimed that certain external influences promote divisive rhetoric and contribute to the spread of hostility in society, including through diplomatic and political channels.

Papuashvili concluded that strengthening what he described as national values is essential, asserting that foreign ideological influence can be harmful to the country’s stability and cohesion.

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