The Gakharia for Georgia party has decided to enter the parliament. One of the party leaders, Giorgi Sharashidze, made the relevant statement at the briefing held a few minutes ago. This decision ends the party’s boycott.
The replacements of 12 deputies whose mandates were terminated from the party Gakharia for Georgia are entering the 11th convocation parliament. The replacement deputies are: – Gela Abuladze, Jemal Ananidze, Ketevan Bakaradze, Rusudan Tevzadze, Malkhaz Toria, Shalva Kereselidze, Salome Kobaladze, Giga Parulava, Vika Pilpani, Giorgi Sharashidze, Tamar Khvedeliani, and Sopio Khorguani.
“A year ago, after the parliamentary elections of October 26, our political team unanimously decided to boycott the parliament. Unfortunately, we must admit that this form of political protest could not stop the evil machine of the Dream and could not prevent damaging decisions for the country by the de facto government, such as suspending Georgia’s European integration process, adopting anti-democratic and human rights-violating laws, strengthening the autocratic regime, violence against peaceful citizens, stealing free and fair elections, and many other criminal, anti-national, and anti-state actions.
The boycott of the parliament, which turned into a boycott of the entire political process, effectively eliminated the opposition from the political arena. As a result, the Dream was given the opportunity to act very quickly, without any resistance, and aggravate authoritarianism, which led to the provocation of October 4. We blame no one but ourselves! A year ago, we failed to convince the public and the political spectrum that the abolition of parliamentary mandates was a mistake, and this led to a chain of events that led us to the current difficult situation! But today we are no longer going to remain captive to our own mistakes, nor to remain in illusions and deceive ourselves! The irresponsible and provocative processes of October 4 have made the situation extremely difficult, have extremely damaged the already weakened opposition spectrum, and have given the Dream an excuse to justify the aggravation of authoritarianism among its supporters. We see new anti-democratic laws prohibiting freedom of expression, dozens of arrested demonstrators, including journalists, to which is added the announcement of a new so-called education reform that restricts the access of our future generation to a European education. We see an even greater aggravation of anti-European propaganda, direct attacks on partner states, ambassadors.
What the Dream regime is doing against the German ambassador and Germany can only be described as harming the national and state interests of our country. We must admit that the disappearance of the opposition from the political process has left the people defenseless in the face of the regime – new political prisoners are added to us every day. That is why our main goal is to fight for the survival of dissent! There is another truth in this country and we must bring this truth to light! Therefore, we are starting to return all political instruments and platforms intended for people to the service of people, because the representative bodies of Georgia – municipal councils and the parliament at the national level – do not belong to the Dream and belong only to the Georgian people!
Unfortunately, today, when the non-acceptance of dissent from two radical parties has brought us to the dangerous edge of hatred and mutual confrontation, and the entire country is wrapped in a spiral of hatred, we owe it most of all to return wise, moderate and consistent politics at all levels! Not using the rostrum of the parliament and city councils, especially in these difficult times, is not only a mistake, but also a crime before the country and people. The voice and different opinions of Georgian citizens must be heard in the parliament of Georgia! It is time to respond to lies with truth, to the language of contempt and hatred with wise, calm, moderate and consistent steps! – said Giorgi Sharashidze.
