“We will not allow Japaridze to stage a circus show - does he have arguments? Let him debate with whomever our party designates,” said Georgian Dream MP Tengiz Sharmanashvili to journalists.

According to him, political organizations themselves should determine who will represent their position in a given case.

As Sharmanashvili noted, it is up to Irakli Kobakhidze to decide whether he will debate with Zurab Girchi Japaridze.

“Irakli Kobakhidze is the Prime Minister of Georgia, and where have you seen someone debate so directly with a person who has an unclear rating?! However, this is his decision - I cannot speak on behalf of Irakli Kobakhidze. Most importantly, political organizations themselves must decide who will represent their position in a specific case. If Zura Girchi Japaridze decides that he should personally present his organization’s position, our organization will decide who will represent ours. We will not allow Japaridze to stage a circus show. Does he want to? Does he have arguments? Let him debate with whomever our party designates. If Kobakhidze decides to do it himself, then he will do it himself. If someone else is assigned to do it, then that person will do it,” Sharmanashvili said.

At the same time, the MP noted that no serious exchange of views regarding debates has even begun yet, while some opposition figures are already refusing.

“I am confident that we will help bring back the culture of debates in Georgia. It existed before, but then disappeared. Unfortunately for us, our opponents were forbidden from having any contact with us - they themselves have said this. For example, when the ‘Transparency Law’ was being discussed, they said, ‘let’s not go into the substance, this is their field.’ They had received such instructions,” Sharmanashvili said.

For reference, in response to the Prime Minister’s statement about debates, Zurab Japaridze said that he is personally inviting Irakli Kobakhidze to a debate.

“Personally you, in any format, at any time,” Zurab Japaridze wrote.

Earlier, the Prime Minister stated that debates should return to the country.

“We are obliged to restore to the people the right to benefit from debates - public discussion must be brought back into public life,” Kobakhidze said.