“What we need is not a fake event, but real, genuine elections,” wrote the leader of Droa, Elene Khoshtaria, in a post published on her Facebook page.

Khoshtaria discussed the differing positions within the opposition regarding elections, stating that it is unclear to her who is arguing with whom about the necessity of elections, or who denies their importance. However, under conditions where “the will of the people is replaced by a manipulative unit,” and when no one in the world calls such a process elections, labeling this event as “elections” would be an even greater lie than what Georgian Dream is offering.

According to the opposition politician, elections “have been achieved under far harsher regimes, including in Georgia,” and can be achieved through “continued non-recognition, strengthening resistance, and international pressure.”

“No one should take offense, but the ‘confrontation’ that has emerged within the opposition regarding participation in elections is somewhat amusing. Especially at a time when Georgian Dream is simultaneously selecting its preferred opposition list, and not only banning parties but even prohibiting standing on sidewalks. It is unclear who is debating the necessity of elections - who actually denies it?

In these conditions, where the will of the people is replaced by manipulation, where the only form of interaction is violence and disorder, where even arithmetic ceases to function, and when no one in the world calls this an election - to label this event as ‘elections’ and justify our political existence through it would be an even bigger lie than what the ruling party offers. How can we defeat anything with lies - except ourselves? We need not a fake event, but real, genuine elections.

Elections have been achieved under much harsher regimes, including in Georgia, and they are achieved through the path we are on - continuing non-recognition, strengthening resistance, and applying international pressure. So far, these three factors have not allowed the regime to defeat us; they have pushed it into isolation, forced internal conflicts, limited its resources, and caused it to make many mistakes.

If someone lacks the endurance, I understand it on a human level, but politically I cannot accept it. The example of Hungary should strengthen our pressure against Georgian Dream, not lead to another round of internal ‘bloodshed’ within our own ranks,” Khoshtaria wrote.