Updated: On May 21, at 9:10pm, Facebook page Politicano also published the post identical to Kardhu.
On May 21, Facebook page „კარდჰუ“ (Kardhu) posted a photo of U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger accompanied by allegedly his quotes: “Nobody will like the results of the October elections, but that will be democracy – Adam Kinzinger.” On the same day, Kardhu’s post was shared by Facebook pages Beqa Vardosanidze • ბექა ვარდოსანიძე and წინაპართა ნაკვალევზე, with the latter adding a comment “P.S. I suppose, these incorrect people are opening the way for Natsis [referring to the United National Movement].” On May 21, an identical quote was spread by Facebook page Politicano with a comment “He has already decided for us.”
The quotes spread by Kardhu misinterpret the statement made by Adam Kinzinger on May 20. The U.S. Congressman congratulated the Georgian government and the opposition on reaching an agreement to hold the October elections through 120/30 system, hailing this fact as democracy. He made no comments about the results of the October parliamentary elections.
What did Kinzinger state about Georgia?
During an online press conference on May 20, U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger responded to journalists’ questions and also spoke about recent political developments in Georgia. Kinzinger commented on the agreement related to the electoral reform, envisaging holding of the 2020 parliamentary elections through 120/30 system. He noted that with this agreement, Georgia achieved a huge progress. Stressing that both government and opposition should be praised for it, Kinzinger expressed hope that the promise would be kept. He also noted that not everyone may like the solution found by the parties, but precisely that is democracy.
“A big congratulations to both sides of this [agreement on electoral reform], nobody’s going to be happy, as a guy that’s been doing politics for a while, nobody’s ever happy with anything, that’s what democracy is. But it’s way better than having one person dictate your life and it’s way better than being under the thumb of Russia.” – stated Adam Kinzinger.
The U.S. Congressman made no comments about the results of the October elections. The only thing he said regarding the upcoming elections was his plans to arrive as an observer. He expressed hope that he would arrive in October, adding that it would depend on his work schedule and free movement.
| Kardhu’s quotation | Real quotation |
| “Nobody will like the results of the October elections, but that will be democracy – Adam Kinzinger” | “A big congratulations to both sides of this [agreement on electoral reform], nobody’s going to be happy, as a guy that’s been doing politics for a while, nobody’s ever happy with anything, that’s what democracy is. “ – Adam Kinzinger |
About Kardhu
Facebook page Kardhu was created on July 23, 2017. It spreads hate speech against national, sexual and other minorities, also incites Euro-skepticism and mistrust towards NATO. The Myth Detector periodically verifies disinformation and manipulative reports spread by Kardhu. It has published a number of publications about it.
About Politicano
The Facebook page Politicano is a medium with links to Yevgeny Primakov Russian-Georgian Civic Center. The Myth Detector periodically verifies disinformation and manipulative reports spread by politicano. It has published a number of publications about it.
