**Georgia on the Brink of Disaster: Leaders Sound Alarm Over Visa-Free Regime Suspension**
The Georgian government’s decision to suspend its visa-free regime with the European Union has sparked alarm bells among opposition leaders. Levan Sanikidze, a top official from the “United National Movement,” warned that this move would have catastrophic consequences for the country and its people.
According to Sanikidze, if Georgia loses its visa-free status, 4 million citizens will face significant travel restrictions, effectively sanctioning them. He blamed Bidzina Ivanishvili, a powerful businessman and leader of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, for this decision. “Ivanishvili’s will and decision have led to this,” Sanikidze stated, emphasizing that the government’s actions were not just about creating additional barriers but would be a “historic, tragic event.”
Sanikidze pointed out that the European Commission had already sent a letter to Georgia’s Foreign Minister, Beate Gminder, requesting information on the implementation of eight recommendations. He argued that these recommendations reflected both legal and political demands, highlighting issues such as election rigging, persecution of media, and imprisonment of political prisoners.
**A Political Decision with Far-Reaching Consequences**
The opposition leader emphasized that the suspension of visa-free travel was not just a technical issue but a political decision with significant implications for Georgia’s foreign policy course. He warned that this move would lead to a “severe blow” to the country, affecting its relations with Western partners.
Sanikidze also criticized Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s Prime Minister and Ivanishvili’s ally, for blocking sanctions against 15 members of “Georgian Dream” and Ivanishvili’s entourage. He suggested that this decision was part of a broader effort to shield the ruling party from accountability.
**A Call to Action**
In light of these developments, Sanikidze called on the opposition to be more active in addressing these issues. He reiterated his party’s position that specific high-ranking officials and businessmen from “Georgian Dream” should be sanctioned, rather than the entire population. The opposition leader concluded that replacing Ivanishvili was not only desirable but necessary for Georgia’s future.
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