Ruling party head: public must choose “peace, economic development” over “war party”
In an interview with Imedi TV, Kobakhidze noted the so-called coalition government of the domestic opposition parties “actually” meant “return of the UNM to power”. Photo: Georgian Dream Press Office
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Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said citizens of the country “must make a choice not in favour of the war party” - in reference to the opposition United National Movement - but for “peace, tranquillity and economic development”.
In an interview with Imedi TV, Kobakhidze noted the so-called coalition government of the domestic opposition parties “actually” meant “return of the UNM to power”.
Theoretically, let us imagine such an apocalyptic scenario that the UNM with its satellites had won the 2020 parliamentary elections. [...] In that case, they would have done what they had asked of us - imposing sanctions [against Russia], sending volunteers [to Ukraine], harsh rhetoric, and so on”, Kobakhidze said.
The ruling party head claimed the “direct outcome” of such a scenario would have been “Ukrainisation” of the country.
We can theoretically see the same picture even after 2024 [elections]. The only place where this political force can bring our country to is the current situation in Ukraine”, Kobakhidze continued.
He added the public must “once again”l look at its own choice”, and further pointed out that “naturally, the choice should be made not in favour of the war party, but in favour of peace, tranquillity and economic development”.
Gia Volski, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday claimed a part of the domestic opposition was “unhappy” with the Government's "effective work" that had resulted in absence of evidence suggesting Russia evading international sanctions imposed on it for its invasion of Ukraine through Georgian territory.
Oliver Varhelyi, the European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on Wednesday said Georgia “continues progressing on its EU enlargement track” as the bloc’s candidate country, after his meeting with Georgian Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia.
David Matikashvili, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the opposition United National Movement party and “its various branches” were “trying to correct their positions through a PR campaign”, an outcome he said was “not possible”.
Maka Botchorishvili, the Chair of the European Integration Committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said the country was “embarking on the path to European Union membership” following membership candidate status it received last month.
Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the “direct” involvement of Bidzina Ivanishvili - the former Prime Minister and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party - in politics could bring “positive processes” to the country “in many ways”.