Giorgi Baramidze: The stubborn insistence of “Lelo” and Gakharia’s party on their mistaken course is a truly shameful act; They themselves know very well that participating in the local elections is not entering into any kind of real struggle – it is participation in a “Georgian Dream”-style, Russian scheme

Their stubborn insistence on this mistake is a truly shameful act, – this is how the political secretary of the United National Movement, Giorgi Baramidze, assessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the parties Gakharia for Georgia and Lelo – Strong Georgia regarding the upcoming local elections.

As Baramidze told journalists, the election results will be written by Bidzina Ivanishvili and his gang, because this is not a real election.

According to Baramidze, "Whatever Ivanishvili throws them like a bone – be it Lelo or Gakharia – that’s what will be written into their election results."

"Their stubbornness in continuing down this mistaken path is a deeply shameful act. They know very well themselves that this is not entering into any kind of real struggle – this is participation in a 'Georgian Dream'-style, Russian scheme. As clearly stated in the European Parliament resolution, they will bear responsibility for legitimizing this regime. They also know perfectly well – when the two strongest opposition parties, together with others, have firmly decided not to participate in this Russian-style operation, for them to now go along just to claim second place, handed to them by Ivanishvili, so that a few of their members can receive salaries in the Tbilisi or other city councils – that is truly disgraceful. It is a betrayal of their own past statements and actions. I’m not talking about the public, which is firmly, consistently, peacefully, and unwaveringly fighting against this treacherous and criminal Russian gang. It is clear that they should not be taking part in a scenario staged by this gang. They cite polls – but no one is going to write election results based on sociological surveys. The election results will be written by Bidzina Ivanishvili and his gang. Whatever he throws them – whether Lelo or Gakharia – that’s exactly what they will get. That’s 2+2=4. It’s clear to everyone."

Baramidze emphasized that taking part in a “Georgian Dream” game or scheme is not joining a struggle – it is betraying the Georgian people.

"Some political parties in Georgia fail to understand their responsibility and are ready to step into a Russian-style operation, a Georgian Dream–Russian scheme, and take part in their game. Once again, we say clearly and emphatically: participating in this Russian operation, joining the Georgian Dream’s games and schemes is not fighting back – on the contrary, it is a betrayal of the Georgian people’s struggle against this treacherous, criminal, Russian regime. We hope that at some point, before it’s too late, they will come to their senses and avoid taking on the burden of disrupting unified opposition efforts and betraying the Georgian people’s peaceful, non-violent, yet principled, consistent, and determined struggle. This betrayal must not happen – we must all stand together against this regime."

For context: The parties Gakharia for Georgia and Lelo – Strong Georgia have agreed to cooperate in the upcoming local elections. The memorandum of cooperation was signed today by Berdia Sichinava, Executive Secretary of Gakharia for Georgia, and Irakli Kupradze, Secretary General of Lelo – Strong Georgia. According to Sichinava, the two parties are uniting on a common struggle and shared principles for the local elections.