**Georgian Government Targets Civil Servants Who Spoke Out Against EU Exit**
The Georgian government has been cracking down on civil servants who spoke out against the country‘s exit from the European Union. Dozens of employees have been dismissed in recent days, and many more are expected to follow.
The dismissals began on December 31, when three high-ranking officials at the National Probation Agency were notified that their contracts would be terminated. The agency’s head, Moris Baramia, received a message saying his contract would end on February 1, 2025. Two other department heads, Nino Tkeshelashvili and Natia Aliashvili, also received similar notices.
The dismissed officials say they were targeted because of their outspoken views against the government’s decision to abandon the EU path. They had all participated in protests and publicly criticized the ruling party.
Since then, dozens more civil servants have been dismissed from other state agencies and institutions. Many have been working under “administrative contracts,” which are essentially political appointments with no tenure or competition.
The dismissals have sparked outrage among civil society groups and opposition parties. The Independent Trade Union of Civil Servants has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the government, citing Article 78 of the Constitution, which protects labor rights.
Critics say the government is using formal excuses like “reorganization” and “contract expiration” to justify the dismissals, but the real reason is political persecution. The government’s move comes after hundreds of civil servants signed a declaration in support of Georgia‘s European integration and criticized the ruling party’s decision to abandon the EU path.
The dismissed officials believe that their contracts were terminated because they expressed different opinions from those held by the ruling party. They point out that the government has been trying to justify its legitimacy, and targeting civil servants who spoke out against the EU exit is a way of silencing dissent.
The situation is expected to escalate, with many more civil servants fearing for their jobs.