“I am constantly being accused of not acting more forcefully in 2011–2012, when I understood the danger that Ivanishvili posed. I did everything I could during the election campaign to explain to the people what awaited them if Ivanishvili were elected. Doing more would have been like when your girlfriend has her eyes on someone else, and you respond by beating her, disfiguring her, and locking her up at home,” wrote Georgia’s third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, on social media.According to Saakashvili, Bidzina Ivanishvili has zero empathy toward people, whereas he himself loves the people.

“Now I’m constantly blamed for not acting more forcefully in 2011–2012, when I recognized the danger Ivanishvili represented.In reality, I did everything I could to explain to the public during the election campaign what awaited them if they voted for Ivanishvili.Doing more would have resembled a situation where your girlfriend is looking at someone else, and you, in response, beat her, disfigure her, and lock her up at home.If I had tried to stop Ivanishvili by other means, it would have meant becoming like him and establishing a dictatorship.I couldn’t do that for a simple reason — Ivanishvili and I are radically different.He has zero empathy toward people, while I love the people.That’s why I truly couldn’t act the way this dangerous criminal does. I hope you understand me,” wrote Saakashvili.