“Today, we should not be talking about whether to participate in elections, but about what kind of elections we are talking about,” Viktor Kipiani, founder of the Georgia First party, said.

According to him, if elections do not change and become fair, participating in them would merely mean “legitimizing the results of fake elections,” in which they cannot take part.

“Today, we should not be talking about whether to participate in elections, but about what kind of elections we are participating in. If elections do not resemble elections, if they are not genuinely fair, competitive and free, then participating in elections would simply mean legitimizing the results of fake elections and helping to formalize them. We cannot take part in this.

“As for Elene Khoshtaria’s statement that she welcomes the idea of consolidating around the idea of free elections, I would welcome this aspect regardless of who the author is,” Viktor Kipiani said.

He also discussed the sanctions imposed on the Kulevi oil refinery, saying that this meant being cut off from the civilized business world.

“This means that we are completely cut off from business civilization. It means that reputational risk and reputational security are being damaged day by day, and yesterday’s decision is proof of this,” Kipiani said.