“I was born in the Soviet Union. I remember elections in which there was no alternative, and they are taking us back to something like that, only in an even harsher and more grotesque form,” opposition politician Teona Akubardia said on PalitraNews’ programme Resume, commenting on the proceedings scheduled at the Constitutional Court concerning the lawsuit seeking to ban political parties.

Akubardia said Bidzina Ivanishvili was facing a dilemma, arguing that if he banned the parties, he would lose any opportunity to change course and return to the West.

“If he abolishes the parties, he will have no chance to step back and change his policy and return to the West. He will cut off his path back towards the West,” Akubardia said.

According to Akubardia, the start of proceedings at the Constitutional Court is a response to Russia’s demands.

“What we are seeing in Georgia today, in terms of the tactics Russia and Ivanishvili are using towards the Georgian population, is the technique of boiling a frog in cold water. The constitutional lawsuit states that the 2008 war was provoked by Saakashvili. Regarding Chorchana, it claims that when Giorgi Gakharia established a checkpoint in territory under Georgia’s control to protect the population, he obstructed the peaceful reunification of the country. This is supposedly a crime.

“Russia is demanding our total capitulation: recognition of the independence of the occupied territories, followed by the reopening of the Abkhazia railway. The provision included in the constitutional lawsuit is a response to these demands.

“The conclusion of the Tsulukiani Commission was a parliamentary document. Parliament is, at least, a political and legal body. But if the Constitutional Court endorses this position, it will effectively declare that protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity — an obligation of the government — is being abandoned, along with Article 78, which establishes the obligation to pursue membership in NATO and the European Union, and the protection of the people.

“In doing so, the ruling party itself is disarming the country in violation of the Constitution, further strengthening Russia’s interests and position,” Akubardia said.

It should be noted that the Constitutional Court is scheduled to begin hearing the lawsuit seeking to ban five opposition parties on October 21. The plaintiff is Georgian Dream.