When members of the European Parliament [EP] propose that individuals or groups deemed politically unacceptable should have their property confiscated, it reflects a mentality rooted in Soviet ideology. Such a statement made today Speaker of the Georgian Parliament.

"This is not the first time Michael Gahler has targeted the Georgian state. I responded only because of occasional claims that we should not be compared to the Soviet Union.

I would like to remind everyone: confiscation and expropriation were hallmarks of both communist and fascist ideologies. So, yes, when members of the EP suggest that groups or individuals they find politically unacceptable should be stripped of their property, it reflects a deeply Soviet mindset that has taken root within the EU. This is partly due to the presence of several former Soviet republics among EU members, where the political elites still carry remnants of a Soviet mentality", - said Shalva Papuashvili.

His remarks came in response to MEP Michael Gahler, who stated that "if [Viktor] Orban is blocking EU measures, executives from remaining member states should take measures against [Bidzina] Ivanishvili`s regime".