**Violence Not Democracy: Georgian Leaders Speak Out Against National Movement**
In a bold statement, the Speaker of the Parliament in Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, has confirmed that the leaders of the opposition National Movement are planning to change the government through violence, rather than through democratic means.
This statement was made in response to comments from Tina Bokuchava, Chairperson of the United National Movement, who said that “the date of the revolution is not announced in advance.” However, Papuashvili believes that this approach is a clear sign of the opposition’s intentions to use force to take power.
**EU Silence on Violence Sparks Concern**
Papuashvili also criticized the European Union for their silence on the violence perpetrated by supporters of the National Movement. He pointed out that while the EU ambassador has remained silent, funded groups linked to the party have been burning down the parliament and attacking police officers. This lack of action from the EU has sparked concerns among many Georgians that some foreign powers are backing a return to the violent confrontations of the 1990s.
**Georgian People Say No to Violence**
Papuashvili emphasized that the people of Georgia have made it clear that they will not allow this kind of violence to happen again. He referenced the response from Georgians on October 26, when a planned street war was met with widespread opposition. In December last year, similar scenes played out, but Papuashvili noted that there was no condemnation from European ambassadors despite the violence against police officers and the parliament.
**Implications for Georgia’s Future**
The implications of this development are serious for Georgia’s future. As Papuashvili pointed out, some foreign powers seem to be backing a return to the confrontations of the 1990s, with all its attendant risks of internal and external instability. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but one thing is clear: the people of Georgia are not willing to go back to the past.
Read More @ www.interpressnews.ge
