Ana Natsvlishvili: If "Georgian Dream" decides to leave the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, it will directly follow the path taken by Russia – this will be a test of whether "Georgian Dream" serves the interests of the Georgian people

If "Georgian Dream" decides to leave the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe instead of fulfilling the commitments it made before the Georgian people and the international community, it will directly follow the path that Russia took – this was stated by Ana Natsvlishvili, a member of "Lelo – Strong Georgia."

She added that even if "Georgian Dream" ultimately follows the Russian path, it will be temporary because the Georgian people will not tolerate a Russian occupation regime ruling the country in the form of "Georgian Dream."

"We clearly remember that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe issued a recommendation that 'Georgian Dream' should release political prisoners. It was also recommended to set a date in April for parliamentary elections to be held in the country because the October 26 elections are not legitimate and are therefore not recognized either inside or outside the country. If 'Georgian Dream' decides to leave the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe instead of fulfilling its commitments to the Georgian people and the international community, it will directly follow the path that Russia took. This will once again confirm that 'Georgian Dream' is acting not in the interests of the Georgian people but according to Russia's instructions. Therefore, this test, which it must pass in a few hours, will once again be a test of whether 'Georgian Dream' serves the interests of the Georgian people. Also, whether it will address the issue of holding fair elections and releasing political prisoners or fully follow Putin's Russia's path, which, after massive human rights violations and a shift away from democratic principles, left the Council of Europe, thus strengthening authoritarianism. Even if 'Georgian Dream' eventually follows the Russian path, it will be temporary because the Georgian people will not tolerate a Russian occupation regime in the form of 'Georgian Dream' ruling this country," stated Ana Natsvlishvili.