“Holding meetings in the regions does not necessarily mean that ‘Lelo’ is preparing for the local self-government elections – it is essential that party members receive firsthand information about the crisis in the country,” said Tazo Datunashvili, a member of Lelo – For Strong Georgia, during Palitra News’ program Newsroom of the Day.

According to him, Lelo – For Strong Georgia is preparing for the next elections, which will be parliamentary elections.

"Holding meetings in the regions does not clearly mean that ‘Lelo’ is getting ready for the local elections. ‘Lelo’ is preparing for the next elections, which are parliamentary. Even months ago, we were routinely visiting the regions and meeting with local activists. We have not closed our offices across Georgia, and we continue operating in every city. It is crucial that party members receive firsthand information about the crisis in the country.

Today, the country’s sovereignty and fate are at stake. Our goal is to release political prisoners who are unjustly imprisoned. Mikheil Saakashvili is also a political prisoner, but in this case, I am not referring to him.

We must stop cheap, pointless bickering that harms the political process,” said Tazo Datunashvili.

Regarding other issues, the politician commented on the report that former Prosecutor General of Georgia, Otar Partskhaladze, attended the military parade held on May 9 in Moscow’s Red Square. According to Datunashvili:

“We should thank the United States, which told us two years ago that Otar Partskhaladze had been sanctioned for anti-Georgian activities in connection with Russia.

I don’t know in what capacity he appeared on Red Square – as a regular Russian patriot or just another ‘Chekist.’ After that, Georgian Dream protected him and smuggled him out of the country with their money.

The regime bet on Partskhaladze, his Russia-backed party in Georgia, and the people it gathered. These people used to hide and conceal their views, but now they gather in halls and seriously argue that Georgia should sit at the negotiating table with Russia.

These same people insult Kobakhidze and Kaladze because they congratulated the rest of Georgia on Europe Day.”

Datunashvili also responded to reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reducing its staff. He believes public servants are being dismissed from the foreign ministry for supporting Georgia’s European future:

“The situation is very dire in all institutions; they no longer have any electoral base. Georgian Dream had electoral support up until the October elections because that support aligned with the European path. Today, they’ve lost that base – they’ve lost voters. Georgians do not see a better future in Moscow or Beijing, that’s a fact.

These dismissals are ongoing. It’s also ideological – they’re reducing representation in Western countries and institutions while firing people who don’t share their views. The Foreign Minister, Maka Bochorishvili, is destroying one of the most important institutions – Georgian diplomacy – with anti-Georgian actions. We barely managed to build it, and now it’s being dismantled.”