Tata Khvedeliani, MP from the “Gakharia for Georgia” party, told PalitraNews that she believes the ruling party temporarily postponed the universities’ merger decision, but will eventually revisit it.

According to Khvedeliani, the announced education reform aims not at improving educational quality, but at restricting academic freedom and serving corrupt interests.

“The biggest problem with this education reform is that it’s not based on any research or analysis, which is crucial in any reform process. We need to know what we are losing and what outcomes each change will produce. In many countries, education reforms take years. ‘Georgian Dream’ wants to change everything in 3-4 months - it’s almost laughable. Even the fact that they reversed the university merger decision shows their work isn’t based on research or analysis. They change decisions chaotically. They couldn’t push it through now, but I’m sure they’ll return to it eventually, because the real goal isn’t improving education quality - it’s restricting academic freedom and achieving corrupt gains related to university property,” she said.

Khvedeliani praised professors and students for resisting the reform, saying their fight has been meaningful and must continue.

She also commented on reports that the EU might include Georgia’s Kulevi port in Russia sanctions. Khvedeliani said an investigation is needed to clarify the situation.

“‘Georgian Dream’ is anti-national and anti-Western. Its statements harm our relations with strategic partners. Regarding Kulevi port, an investigation must be conducted to uncover the truth. The party has repeatedly manipulated and lied. Every question must be answered,” she said.

On the visit of U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Khvedeliani criticized Georgia’s absence from regional talks:

“It’s laughable that we celebrate minor gestures as significant meetings. While real negotiations take place in Armenia and Azerbaijan, Georgia is left out,” she said.

Khvedeliani also addressed food, medicine, and fuel prices, noting that the next parliamentary commission session to examine these issues is scheduled for tomorrow. She criticized the government for handling the issue incompetently and stated that the commission will work to show citizens the truth and propose real solutions.