Levan Tsutskiridze – People are demanding not only new faces but also a fundamental change in how parties work and how politics is done. As for participation in the local elections, there should be several conditions

In reality, people are demanding not only new faces but a fundamental change in how politics is done. Changing faces might not bring anything if there is no qualitative change in how political parties operate and how politics is done in Georgia. This was stated by the Chairman of the "Freedom square" party, Levan Tsutskiridze, during his appearance on "Palitra News' Daily Newsroom" program.

Tsutskiridze talked about the transformation of the political movement "Field of Freedom" into the "Field of Freedom" party and explained the goals and objectives of their political force.

"Freedom square" was always conceived as an independent and self-sufficient political party. Our mission and objectives stem from the situation created in Georgia. Our goal is for "Field of Freedom" to become a leading political party and play a decisive and important role in achieving three things: to reclaim the state that has been taken over by the "Georgian Dream"; to make this state a real multi-party democracy; and then, a multi-party democratic Georgia should become a member of the European Union. These are our main objectives, and we will continue to fight for them. "Freedom square" believes that there must be justice, democracy, security, and freedom in the country. There are two reasons why the "old parties" are not working better: 1. We live in an authoritarian state. Georgia has never been a true, full democracy. In such conditions, where all state resources are focused on weakening and destroying opposition parties, it undermines the development of political parties. 2. Political parties are structured around a very small group of leaders, often just one or two people. They are closed organizations. This distinguishes "Field of Freedom" from them. One of the reasons for the distrust we see toward politicians is that society realizes that these people are not consistent. Today, they talk about human rights, but if they could, yesterday they would have participated not in defending these rights but in violating them. "Freedom square" is made up of people who do politics differently. One of the important things a politically active and informed citizen can do today is to contribute to a better political organization and join a political party. "Freedom square" is just such a party, where people can come and we will create a party together that works for everyone, not just me. As for who should "close the thief’s hat," in my opinion, it should be Bidzina Ivanishvili and the "Georgian Dream." It is not for anyone to decide who should be in politics and who should not; this should be decided by the people through elections, not any individual politician. In the elections, the Georgian people said that the "Georgian Dream" should go into the opposition, and in its place, the government should be taken over by a multi-party coalition. I will not allow myself to speak about any politician regarding who should close their hat and go somewhere or do something. This should always be decided through democratic elections. For this, "Field of Freedom" is fighting so that people, citizens, have the opportunity to make free choices, and the democratic procedure determines who will be in power and who will be in the opposition," Levan Tsutskiridze stated.

He also mentioned that the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue is at a very important stage today.

"We are at the stage where we show consistency, solidarity, and principledness. I can't recall many other similar protests in other countries where, for such a long time, during an entire difficult winter, the public has been protesting. It was not a peaceful winter; it was a wartime winter when the so-called government attacked citizens and physically harmed them. Despite this, people were outside and did not retreat in this fight. Naturally, this requires additional steps. One important thing is the continuation of isolating this party, a higher quality, more intensive boycott, and no cooperation with them.

We see more and more isolation of the government and internal wars starting within. Everyone knows how various factions and leaders, who realize that the power of the "Georgian Dream" is now on their shoulders, are attacking each other. They are now behaving like predators in the forest, trying to mark more and more territory, with internal battles and conflicts. This weakens this government. It is left to the mercy of these factions. Naturally, the processes in Georgia cannot overshadow global events. However, we should not be scared by this; we must continue our consistent fight and work. This is not only a struggle of political parties. The elections were stolen not only from opposition parties but from every voter who went to the polls and voted for any party other than the "Georgian Dream." The demand that political parties should be better, work better, and make decisions more quickly is logical and right. I would say that as long as the "Georgian Dream" holds on to power, nothing will be enough or satisfactory. People are really demanding not just new faces but a fundamental change in how politics is done. Changing faces might not bring anything if there is no qualitative change in how political parties work and how politics is done in Georgia.

As for participation in the local elections, there should be several conditions for any discussion about participation. Repressions should end, and those who are unlawfully detained should be released. Normal pre-election conditions should be created. Also, once and for all, the involvement of the SSS and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the elections should stop.

This struggle is precisely for us to force the "Georgian Dream" to take these steps. If we don't force it, of course, they won't do it. This struggle is for this. We must create the conditions that will return the opportunity for the government to be led by those chosen by the Georgian voter, not by the person Bidzina Ivanishvili decides. If we all remain silent, they will establish a feudal system where the master will be Bidzina Ivanishvili, and we will all be subordinates," Levan Tsutskiridze concluded.

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