“Ivanishvili has brought back Soviet Georgia – banning parties and restricting people from engaging in politics,” said opposition politician Teona Akubardia.
Speaking on the PalitraNews program “360 Degrees,” she noted that “Georgian Dream” has an extensive “blacklist,” and the risk of being added to it is real for anyone who expresses views against the government.
Akubardia stated that the growing public resistance and rejection of the government’s actions give her hope.
“It seems they have a large ‘blacklist.’ As soon as they perceive a threat, they will definitely add someone to it. They themselves said it’s possible for someone to have no connection to a party but share its goals. Although I have never been a voter of the ‘National Movement,’ in these elections, all four parties shared the goal of saving Georgia’s European future.
We thought we had relegated Soviet Georgia to the past, but Ivanishvili brought it back by banning parties and restricting people’s opportunities for political activity. I am encouraged by the significant public rejection; it’s not necessary for it to be visibly displayed on Rustaveli Avenue,” Akubardia said.
The opposition politician also commented on the decision by the “Gakharia – For Georgia” party to end its parliamentary boycott and enter parliament.
According to her, Ivanishvili’s attitude toward Giorgi Gakharia is particularly hostile, so the party’s entry into parliament will be seen as “appeasement.”
Akubardia noted that the ruling party will use this move to its advantage, claiming that the parliament is not single-party.
“I have no illusions that there will be any leniency toward Giorgi Gakharia, no matter if they enter parliament and take their seats. Ivanishvili harbors such deep resentment toward Giorgi – he called him a traitor, something he hasn’t said about anyone else. I don’t think that any conciliatory step, even entering parliament, will save anything. After a tough year, I don’t believe the people’s work can be done in parliament. Instead of listening to its own people, Ivanishvili’s regime has imprisoned them, imposed fines, and suppressed them.
The parliament is not single-party. ‘Georgian Dream’ will have the opportunity to say that it has opposition in parliament. This rhetoric will be for their own voters, not for the West, which knows very well who they are – liars, spreaders of disinformation, and assessed as an anti-Western force.
They will need moral courage and resilience to endure the filth and insults they will face daily in parliament. If we look at the local government elections, parties have lost voters. If they have any calculations, I wish them success,” Akubardia stated.
Teona Akubardia: Ivanishvili has brought back Soviet Georgia, banning parties and restricting people from engaging in politics – it seems the ‘blacklist’ is extensive
