"We have ended up with one of the most hypocritical and demagogic regimes, which is also utterly incompatible with the spirit of Easter. Georgian Dream is constantly sowing hatred among people, which is incompatible with the democracy they claim to support," said Davit Darchiashvili, professor at Ilia State University and former member of parliament, during an interview on Palitranews' program “Daily Newsroom.” His comments were in response to the 13th anniversary of Georgian Dream and a statement released by the ruling party’s political council.

According to Darchiashvili, Georgian Dream is entangled in its own demagoguery and lies, and now has no choice but to issue such statements.

“What kind of sovereignty and democracy involves election fraud? According to the OSCE, there was around 20% fraud, which is enough to overturn election results. In their view, sovereignty means damaging relationships with democratic countries, becoming isolated, and adopting a submissive attitude toward imperial, authoritarian Russia. Is that sovereignty? Is that what generations have fought for? Georgian Dream has gotten so caught up in its own falsehoods that they have nothing left but to make such declarations.

There is also international law — maybe Georgian Dream supporters have forgotten or don’t know that there are international norms on which Georgia’s membership in the Council of Europe, the UN, and the World Trade Organization is based. Being part of these organizations means that a country must conduct its internal and foreign policy according to certain rules. When you forget or violate those rules, you are no longer a partner to the international community. Independence in international relations does not mean isolation. What they mean by independence and sovereignty is an authoritarian regime, where one political force and its leader control everything. They should just call it what it is: one-man rule, the leading role of the party – just like the communists – and maybe even serfdom, where not all people are equal. Then at least their rhetoric would reflect reality,” Darchiashvili stated.

He also responded to Georgian Dream’s accusations that European bureaucracy is engaging in blackmail, saying that if the ruling party rejects European civilization and democratic values, then it must clarify what kind of country it is trying to build.

“European bureaucracy refers to the public service structures in Europe, which follow clear procedures and rules. It’s hard to bribe them because they uphold the principles of their own countries and the wider international community. When Georgian Dream attacks them, they’re essentially rejecting the EU and European civilization. When they talk about ‘deep state,’ even by their definition, that means public service and rules based on principles. If they oppose that, then they must state clearly what kind of state they want – an authoritarian, oligarchic, feudal system – because they’ve already rejected everything else. When you call imprisoning demonstrators with false charges and issuing fines for protesting ‘rule of law,’ that’s a betrayal of justice.”

Speaking about the foundation Georgian Dream claims to stand on, Darchiashvili said that it’s “money” acquired through shady means.

“A decent, transparent, and accountable government would struggle under these conditions. But there are non-transparent, shadow financial flows, and Georgia seems to be involved in them. This money backs the law enforcement system, which is being used against citizens. The government doesn’t want a critical society, so it resorts to repression. There is also growing hopelessness among the population.”

He also reacted to Georgian Dream’s statement on restoring Georgia’s territorial integrity, in which the party claimed that the restoration will happen through peaceful means. Darchiashvili said that Russia’s goal is to have three embassies and three states within Georgia’s legal territory.

“Russia wants to have three embassies on Georgia’s legal territory and establish three separate states. If Georgia agrees to this, international recognition will become easier for Russia, and Georgia will be legally fragmented just as it is now territorially. Russia seems pleased – there is no hint of unification or restoring territorial integrity. This is just a fantasy portrayed as reality. Peace is good, but only alongside justice. If justice is forgotten, what kind of peace are we talking about? An unjust peace serves only one man’s financial, moral, and spiritual well-being, while the rest are expected to cheer him on,” Darchiashvili said.

Regarding the OSCE Secretary General’s visit to Georgia, Darchiashvili said it might be an attempt to persuade Georgian Dream to change course.

“Legitimizing Georgian Dream depends on what message the OSCE Secretary General delivers during the briefing. We’ll see. Maybe this visit is an attempt by European political circles to convince Georgian Dream to change direction — if Georgian Dream still values EU membership and has any remaining interest in being part of the European world. They should discuss what steps the party is willing to take, because all the recent steps Georgian Dream has taken run counter to OSCE principles — so rejecting those steps should be on the table,” he said.

Finally, Darchiashvili addressed the possible participation of opposition parties in the upcoming local elections, stating that such participation would be pointless unless the government creates fair conditions.

“It’s absolutely meaningless, and there is no chance these elections could be democratic. We’ve seen it before — the election administration is what it is, and the country is under fear and total control. Under these conditions, there’s no point. But if the government begins to realize that building authoritarianism at full throttle is not desirable or sustainable for them either, and if they don’t want to be completely isolated, then maybe we can start a conversation,” Darchiashvili concluded.