"It is the peak of cynicism that Doiashvili was dismissed from the very theater he founded — this is a continuation of the repression created by Ivanishvili in the country," said Irakli Kupradze, Secretary General of the coalition "Strong Georgia", in the "Day’s Newsroom" program on PalitraNews. He was responding to the Minister of Culture’s decision to dismiss David Doiashvili from his position as the director of the Vaso Abashidze Music and Drama Theater.

According to Kupradze, “Supporters of 'Georgian Dream' among the artistic community, who remained silent for so long, also share responsibility for this crime.”

"What is happening now is merely a continuation of the repression Ivanishvili has institutionalized in this country. We must understand the subtext — Doiashvili was dismissed from the theater he himself created, with his own name, brand, reputation, and ensemble. This is not a case of someone being dismissed from an already established institution like the Rustaveli or Marjanishvili theaters, which have their own histories. He was dismissed from a theater he built from the ground up. It is the height of cynicism. However, it is quite clear that this type of government is resorting to all forms of repression — repression so harsh it has even shaken 'Georgian Dream' supporters like Manana Berikashvili, Keti Dolidze, Avto Varsimasvili, and others. We've seen their statements expressing shock at this decision. But we also need to recognize that they bear responsibility for this repression and crime due to their prolonged silence," Kupradze said.

He added that "Ivanishvili's party lost stability a long time ago, and this is evident from the internal purges within the team."

Kupradze stated he has information that "'Georgian Dream' is preparing both for local and parliamentary elections."

The opposition politician suggested that the government might schedule the parliamentary elections for this year, but he clarified that "the timing of the new elections depends on the level of effort shown by society and pro-Western political parties."

"I have information that 'Georgian Dream' is preparing for both local and parliamentary elections. Across the regions and in Tbilisi, party members have been instructed (and have already started) to retrain commission representatives and so-called side observers. The directive is: 'We must prepare for new parliamentary and local elections.' In my opinion, since preparations have begun now, the parliamentary elections will take place this year. They will try to delay the process and use the time to their advantage, hoping we will tire and abandon resistance — which, by its nature, is impossible. Therefore, the timing of the elections — whether they are held this year or next spring — will depend on the effort and mobilization of society and pro-Western political parties," Kupradze said.

Regarding participation in the local elections, the opposition politician noted that "it has not yet been decided whether 'Lelo/Strong Georgia' will participate." However, he added that "a decision should not yet be made in order to deny 'Georgian Dream' the opportunity to use it for propaganda against pro-Western opposition parties."

He emphasized that "any decision by the opposition must be sudden for Ivanishvili — giving him no time to respond."

"There is no decision. A decision should not be made until the right moment comes. Analytically speaking, if today we announce either our participation or non-participation, we give Ivanishvili’s propaganda machine seven months to use it strategically against the pro-Western opposition. They may form so-called 'pocket parties' to participate instead and then try to legitimize the process by saying, 'You didn’t want to participate,' or, 'We didn’t let you participate.' 'Georgian Dream' has many propaganda lines it uses to distort people’s minds and spread falsehoods. That’s why we must not give them that opportunity. Any of our decisions, resistance, or blows must be unexpected for Ivanishvili, leaving him no time to react," Kupradze concluded.