Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament and a member of the "Georgian Dream" Political Council, emphasized the significance of the upcoming October 26 elections during a speech at a campaign event in Batumi. He warned that the election will determine whether the Georgian people will continue to control their own destiny or whether an "externally managed opposition" will seize power and put Georgia at the service of foreign interests.
Papuashvili declared, "October 26 is the decisive moment when good should overcome evil, peace should overcome war, patriotism should overcome vassalage, and common sense should overcome LGBT propaganda." He argued that the opposition is attempting to wrest control from the Georgian people, stating, "Will the externally managed opposition be able to wrest the Georgian people's power to decide their fate from their hands and put them at the service of others' interests?"
Reflecting on Georgia’s past, he highlighted how constant wars and destruction seemed to be the nation's fate following independence. "Ever since independence, constant wars and destruction seem to have become our destiny... However, the last 12 years have shown us that it's not about destiny, it's about who controls your destiny," Papuashvili said. He credited the "Georgian Dream" government with maintaining 12 years of peace, which he called "not just a coincidence or the mercy of fate, but the result of the Georgian people taking control of our destiny into our own hands."
Papuashvili contrasted this with the policies of the previous government and today's opposition, suggesting that following their lead would result in sanctions against Russia and economic collapse. He claimed that if Georgia had followed the opposition’s advice, the country would face an economic disaster similar to that of the early 1990s: "Many families would be left without income, and the state's ability to fund education, health care, pensions, and pay salaries and benefits would be dramatically reduced."
In addition to the economic risks, Papuashvili highlighted a "struggle for values," citing the law against LGBT propaganda, which he recently signed. He criticized the opposition for their response to the law: "The whole of Georgia saw the opposition sneaking out of the hall and the president hiding his signature during the voting on this law."
Papuashvili concluded his speech by urging voters to protect Georgia's independence and values, saying, "October 26 is the decisive moment when good should overcome evil, peace should overcome war, patriotism should overcome service to others, independence should overcome vassalage, and common sense should overcome LGBT propaganda."
In his closing remarks, he expressed confidence in Georgia’s future, declaring, "Long live Batumi, long live Adjara, long live Georgia!"
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