Tsotne Koberidze and Boris Chele Kurua leave the party "Girchi – More Freedom." They announced their decision on social media.
In a statement published on Facebook, Tsotne Koberidze explains the reasons for his decision, saying, "What we are doing is nothing new anymore," and therefore, he does not believe that "the same approach can bring change."
According to him, he does not believe in the victory formula where the main tool is Salome Zurabishvili – "the president elected through the worst elections conducted by Bidzina Ivanishvili."
"I have made a difficult and once unimaginable decision – I am leaving 'Girchi – More Freedom.'
I am leaving the party that gave me everything: the place where I grew up, where I met my first comrades, the first person I would call a leader (Zura Japaridze), my first mentor (Goga Khachidze), my first job (district coordinator), my first act of disobedience, my first ridicule, my first success, my first disappointment, my first love – 'Girchi' showed me and gave me all my firsts.
I am leaving the party that no one has probably loved as much as I have.
I joined when hardly anyone knew its name, but I loved it because it had the ambition to change the entire political spectrum, introduce new people, new ideas, and new forms of politics.
But today, I feel that what we are doing is nothing new anymore – everything remains the same. I do not believe that change can come by repeating the same things.
I do not believe that a large opposition unification will work.
I do not believe that we have a chance of victory without changing the political spectrum, attitudes, actors, and environment.
I do not believe that the votes the opposition will receive in the 2024 parliamentary elections will be enough and that no further work will be needed afterward.
I do not believe in a victory formula where the main tool is Salome Zurabishvili – "the president elected through the worst elections conducted by Bidzina Ivanishvili."
I do not believe that anything will work without acknowledging mistakes and apologizing.
I apologize for enthusiastically congratulating you on the election results, only for you to see different results 15 minutes later.
I apologize for not appearing publicly and speaking after the elections.
I apologize for thinking that simply not telling a lie was enough.
But I do believe that this country has a future. We will not become Russia.
This belief was given to me three years ago by the people I first saw together – different, colorful, free-spirited, confident, caring, competent… just good people, very good people.
People whose language the political class could not understand.
People who will embrace Europe because they themselves are Europe.
You have not lost. On the contrary – you have taken the most responsibility on yourselves, and now you feel it the most. Know this: your time is coming. Something else has lost – not you.
While being in 'Girchi,' I never thought about or worked on another project. So at this stage, I cannot say for certain what I will do next.
I only know one thing – I want to find people who think like me and try to change many things with them.
First, I want to free myself. I do not want my decisions to create problems for 'Girchi,' for the coalition, or for any specific person.
If I do something in politics, it will definitely be something new – based on calmness, competence, sincerity, and freedom.
If I fail, I will say that at least I tried.
Thank you to all 'Girchians.'
I love you no less than my own family members.
I wish you all the best.
Those who know me will understand what this decision means to me," reads Tsotne Koberidze's post.