**Lelo’s Regional Meetings Not a Sign of Election Preparations, Says Party Member**
Tazo Datunashvili, a member of the opposition party Lelo – For Strong Georgia, has clarified that holding meetings in the regions does not necessarily mean they are preparing for local self-government elections. According to him, the party is actually gearing up for parliamentary elections.
“We have been regularly visiting the regions and meeting with local activists even months ago,” Datunashvili said during a recent interview on Palitra News’ program Newsroom of the Day. “We have not closed our offices across Georgia, and we continue operating in every city. It is crucial that party members receive firsthand information about the crisis in the country.”
Datunashvili emphasized that Lelo’s goal is to address the current crisis in the country, which he believes puts its sovereignty and fate at risk. He highlighted the need to release political prisoners who are unjustly imprisoned, citing Mikheil Saakashvili as an example.
**Former Prosecutor General’s Appearance at Moscow Parade Sparks Criticism**
The politician also commented on reports that former Prosecutor General of Georgia, Otar Partskhaladze, attended the military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. Datunashvili expressed concern and criticized Georgian Dream for protecting Partskhaladze and allowing him to leave the country.
“We should thank the United States, which told us two years ago that Otar Partskhaladze had been sanctioned for anti-Georgian activities in connection with Russia,” Datunashvilli said. “After that, Georgian Dream protected him and smuggled him out of the country with their money.”
**Ministry of Foreign Affairs Staff Dismissals Raise Concerns**
Datunashvili also responded to reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reducing its staff. He believes public servants are being dismissed from the foreign ministry for supporting Georgia’s European future.
“The situation is very dire in all institutions; they no longer have any electoral base,” Datunashvilli said. “Georgian Dream had electoral support up until the October elections because that support aligned with the European path. Today, they’ve lost that base – they’ve lost voters.”
He criticized Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili for destroying Georgian diplomacy through anti-Georgian actions.
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