Tengo Kirtadze: Through the ongoing processes in the Constitutional Court, "Georgian Dream" is showing: "No matter how much the opposition shouts, I have the power" — one must resist the temptation and not participate in the show; some only think about a few days' "news"
"It is a very harsh and regrettable conclusion, yet entirely expected, because nothing has changed in the recent period. Unfortunately, it will not change in the future either, until the Georgian people replace Ivanishvili's regime with a democratic alternative — Georgia's European integration is suspended and no process is underway," stated Tengo Kirtadze, one of the leaders of the "Federalists," while speaking about the European Commission's report.
As he noted on PalitraNews' program "Dgis Newsroom," Brussels leaves no room for ambiguity for propaganda so that the ruling party can mislead its electorate into thinking that "the situation with Brussels is settling down and Georgia's European integration is not under threat."
"We saw the disgraceful interview of Ivanishvili's prime minister with 'Euronews,' where, unfortunately, the talk was about how European partners do not want to take a picture with Kobakhidze. 'Georgian Dream' and its representatives use a whole range of tricks to accidentally take a photo and then show it to society — 'look, they are taking photos with us again, we have entered the process of normalizing relations, and Georgia's European integration is not under threat.' In reality, the demand is very simple. This is not any specific demand for Georgia; every candidate country has gone through an identical process. And what does Brussels ask of us? Nothing for itself, this is essential for Georgia and the Georgian people: that Bidzina Ivanishvili's corrupt judge, hypothetically his cousin, should not judge right and wrong in the country. Justice is a separate pillar of power and it must be independent. With the Murusidze-Chinchaladze clan, we cannot enter the European Union. A force that tortures 20-year-old boys and girls in police vans so they don't come out to protest cannot lead its society into the European Union. A force that simply does not recognize fundamental rights cannot lead Georgian citizens into the European Union. Corruption is fought when there is an order from within the team to penalize someone who messes up. Until then, when opponents talk about these issues, it is not considered a problem. In Georgia, people are arrested just for standing on the sidewalk — it is an unbelievable level of impudence to which the regime has brought us. Today they are still talking about how some chance exists. No, there is no chance! Among other things, 'Georgian Dream' supporters must also realize this. For those people for whom better healthcare, better justice, a better education system, a secure environment, and better ecology are important, we must all direct this effort together against Bidzina Ivanishvili's regime."
As for taking photos, this is truly a protocol event, but in Brussels and the capitals of EU countries, this topic has already become an anecdote. It circulates like a joke: a representative of 'Georgian Dream' approaches you, shouts something out, suddenly laughs, and someone takes a photo from there. Diplomats and executive branch representatives themselves laugh at this, which is why this question was asked [at the Euronews-organized event] regarding Kobakhidze. Their objective is to mislead the public. They will take a photo with someone and say — 'look, we are on the path to reconciliation with France.' Otherwise, protocol photos have no significance whatsoever," Tengo Kirtadze stated.
Regarding what consequences the European Commission's report might entail after January 2027, the politician believes that the European Union is not taking steps such as revoking candidate status or suspending visa-free travel precisely because of the factor of the Georgian people. However, he noted that if this situation persists, we will lose both candidate status and visa-free travel will be suspended.
"It is the desire of the Georgian people that the country return to the European family, and this is taken into account within the European Union. That is why they are dragging their feet on measures like revoking candidate status or abolishing visa-free travel. But this too is a matter of time. It is impossible for Bidzina Ivanishvili to sacrifice his personal interest. An independent judiciary means that you cannot put people and opponents in prison, you cannot rig elections, you cannot appoint corrupt judges. How can you maintain power then? Therefore, they prefer their own power to the country's national interests. Inevitably, we will reach a point where candidate status, which practically exists only formally, will be formally lost as well, and visa-free travel will be suspended," Tengo Kirtadze stated.
According to him, the main force to stop "Georgian Dream" is the Georgian people.
"It is up to the Georgian people to bring an end to the regime of 'Georgian Dream' and Bidzina Ivanishvili. Therefore, this strength must be found within the country. If there is any help from our partners in not leaving the regime any room for ambiguity, that is welcome, but no one should expect that measures will be taken in Brussels or Washington that will essentially change the picture. Changes will begin in Georgia by the Georgian people when they find the strength within themselves to fight for a democratic alternative. If the political forces currently existing on the field cannot offer anything better, if they are not ready to unite around principles and defend the rules in this struggle, then the alternative is no better and the 'status quo' remains. This is precisely what we are working on, including within the framework of the 'Opposition Alliance.' The 'Federalists' have spoken multiple times about the components necessary for the success of resistance. Recently, the political spectrum has been stuck in the perspective of an alternative. And society must be offered a political alternative. If a person is to enter into resistance, they must sacrifice a lot personally and confront a repressive regime, so they must have hope for tomorrow. This hope must stem from a political alternative. If you cannot explain and convince a person that their tomorrow will be better, then no change can happen," stated Tengo Kirtadze.
As for the ongoing court processes in the Constitutional Court regarding the banning of parties, which will resume on November 9 in a Q&A format, Tengo Kirtadze believes that banning parties will not have any impact on the resistance.
"In reality, the right of the Georgian citizen to change the government is being banned. A political party is an instrument in representative democracy for citizens to participate in the political process. The regime is stripping away precisely this instrument. However, before we reach the replacement of the regime through political parties, preconditions must be created. Today's formal paths are a sham; elections are not elections and expressing one's will is impossible. We must achieve a precondition as a result of which political forces will have influence over defending their votes. For example, we have Serbia, where changes became possible after an alternative emerged. We are stuck right in this process. In the process of this alternative emerging, whether I have an official status or am dissolved makes no difference.
As for the fact that the 'Federalists' are not participating in the court review process, in politics, it is very important to resist the temptations to create a two-day agenda for your own 'bubble' or analysts just to show off. Politics is not about analysts; politics is about the people. Ivanishvili has created a process where his goal, no matter what the opposition spectrum is doing, is to demonstrate his own power, and that is why he broadcasts this process continuously live. By doing this, he shows everyone — 'no matter how much they shout, I am here and I have the power.' You must have the ability to resist the temptation and not give Ivanishvili, who is in a weak form, the opportunity to demonstrate his power and not participate in this show. Unfortunately, some only think about a few days' 'news' and don't want to miss out on the main 'news,' otherwise we aren't bad at opposition either," stated Tengo Kirtadze.
