Speaking to journalists ahead of a meeting between representatives of the “Opposition Alliance” and interested groups regarding the planned May 26 rally, the “Coalition for Change” member commented on a letter reportedly sent by Tbilisi City Hall, according to which the municipality is not allowing the installation of structures, including a stage, for the opposition protest.

Tevzadze said that the City Hall response will not prevent the May 26 rally.

“We are meeting with people actively involved in the protest, to present them with part of the plan we have for May 26. There will be a discussion.

Regarding the information provided by Tbilisi City Hall, the rally has been planned for two months. We submitted a written request and received a response that they will not allow us to set up a stage or will hinder the march. That will not happen. Despite this poor attempt, a large number of people will come to Rustaveli, and you will see that on May 26,” Tevzadze said.

According to him, it is clear that Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has “lost rational judgment.”

“The rally was announced on March 31. If they had any such decision, they should have said so in advance. Now they are scared and alarmed because they know many people will come out, and they are trying to ban or restrict the rally. We will not obey this. The march will definitely happen, with tens of thousands of participants,” he said, adding: “Kaladze’s letter cannot stop this rally.”

Tevzadze also said that there will be no organized transport of citizens from the regions, but he urged people across Georgia to join the rally. He stated that enough people will come out to tell the “regime” that they will not accept the repressions being carried out by Georgian Dream against opposition members and citizens.

When asked about a letter from former President Mikheil Saakashvili, in which he said that May 26 “should not remain a separate episodic rally but should turn into a continuous protest front for Georgia’s liberation,” Tevzadze replied that what matters most is having a large turnout and that opposition parties have a plan.

“As for what kind of front or resistance this should turn into, that will be decided by the parties in the alliance,” he said.