Teimuraz Papaskiri: Georgian Dream is preventing the ambassador from attending the meeting on connectivity because it wants legitimacy; as for the strategy after November 28, we will discuss that, the number of people matters, but our strategy will not be based solely on that

“The decision to abolish the main opposition parties will cost the Georgian Dream far more than any move it has made so far. Through this process, the public is seeing the Georgian Dream’s weakness, not its strength,” Teimuraz Papaskiri, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, said while appearing on PalitraNews’ program Day’s Newsroom, commenting on the ongoing proceedings before the Constitutional Court.

He noted that the public had already seen the absurdity of the arguments being considered and would gain an even clearer understanding of this during the current week.

“This lawsuit has no legal basis whatsoever. It is nothing more than an incoherent piece of writing which, if it could apply to any political party in Georgia and serve as grounds for banning it, would apply exclusively to the Georgian Dream.

Unfortunately, legal considerations do not matter in our country. One positive aspect is that television viewers will be able to see for themselves, through the live broadcast, just how weak the Georgian Dream’s position actually is in this situation. That is the only thing that matters here.

The rest is not a legal process; it is a political process, and its outcome is already known. Regardless of what anyone says, we saw whom the Constitutional Court celebrated its anniversary with last week. Therefore, we can say outright that the verdict has already been written in advance.

Through this process, the public is seeing the Georgian Dream’s weakness, not its strength. This is evident in every respect. Even the remaining supporters of the Georgian Dream do not like this process and clearly do not believe that the party is making a good impression in this situation.

If we want this matter to be examined in Strasbourg, the parties must present actual evidence. That is precisely the reason. The entire public has seen the absurdity of the arguments being considered, and this week they will see it even more clearly. Our questions and answers will be very difficult for the Georgian Dream to listen to,” Papaskiri stated.

He also discussed the Georgian Dream’s plans to amend electoral legislation. Asked whether the party might be preparing for snap elections, Papaskiri said that nothing could be ruled out.

“The Georgian Dream has failed to achieve its main objective: its legitimacy has not been recognised. The situation will become even more complicated for them on the international stage following the midterm elections in the United States. Consequently, their relations with the European Union will deteriorate further.

As for the amendments to electoral legislation, none of this makes any difference, because elections must be restored. When proper elections are announced, the relevant legislation will be in place at that time. It is simply impossible to hold proper elections in this country under the current legislation. Any other party that participates in these elections should understand that it is taking part in elections of the kind held in Belarus and Russia.

The decision to abolish the main opposition parties will cost the Georgian Dream far more than any move it has made so far. In this case, the only party acting in accordance with Russia’s position is the Georgian Dream. Comparisons with Ukraine and Moldova are pointless. Political parties are banned when a particular party opposes the very existence of the country,” Papaskiri stated.

During the programme, he also commented on a statement by European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who said that despite the regression in Georgia’s EU integration process, the country remains part of the connectivity agenda. She added that the Georgian authorities had been invited to a working meeting scheduled to take place in Brussels on November 16, but no response had been received from official Tbilisi.

Asked why the Georgian Dream might be preventing Georgia’s ambassador to Brussels from attending the meeting on security and connectivity despite the invitation, the politician said that the Georgian Dream was seeking recognition of its legitimacy.

“They want legitimacy, rather than public debates with EU member states. Kobakhidze cannot prove anything through this. His interview with journalists from Euronews showed just how bankrupt his position is and how he has no arguments to justify his actions.

He could not withstand questioning from journalists, so imagine the situation he would find himself in when representatives of the European Union sit down with him and directly list all the crimes the Georgian Dream has committed against Georgia and the Georgian people.

The Georgian Dream has made its choice, and it has chosen in Russia’s favour. It will soon face the consequences. How long can the Georgian Dream sustain itself under the current circumstances? Naturally, it will have to make concessions and, ultimately, call proper elections. It is equally clear that the Georgian Dream would suffer a crushing defeat in any genuinely fair elections,” Papaskiri stated.

Papaskiri also addressed the protest rally announced by the Opposition Alliance for November 28, stressing that unity was the most important factor.

“Let us not discuss what the strategy will be after November 28 just yet, as we will consider that in due course. The number of people matters, but the strategy itself will not be based solely on attendance. We will discuss that. We do not want to warn the Georgian Dream in advance about our plans.

Unity is the most important thing. The circumstances are difficult, but regimes have been defeated under even worse conditions, even when they had more favourable circumstances,” Papaskiri stated.

Asked whether politicians might announce an action plan at the November 28 rally, Papaskiri replied: “Let us wait until November 28.”