Sharashidze Says Georgian Dream Plans Snap Elections

Giorgi Sharashidze, one of the leaders of the party 'Gakharia for Georgia' and a deputy, says that the acceleration of the process of banning parties, the rapid adoption of the electoral bill and other processes indicate that 'Georgian Dream' plans to hold snap elections and secure a full majority. According to him, the party will be assisted in this by its own 'artificial opposition'. Sharashidze made these remarks on the 'Free Studio' program of the Palitranius broadcaster.

According to him, 'Georgian Dream' is trying to do what it has failed to achieve so far, for example, remove Article 78 of the Constitution, and legalize 'unlimited, uncontrolled, absolute power'. Sharashidze notes that 'Georgian Dream' is preparing for elections where every formal aspect and the legal framework will be tailored to it. Among these processes, he also cited the ban on participation in the electoral process for doctor Maia Kokhtashvili for the next five years.

Sharashidze also spoke about the assessments by 'Georgian Dream' representatives of the European Commission's report. According to him, the statements by Papuashvili and Kobakhidze confirm that 'Georgian Dream' does not want to return to the European path. Sharashidze believes that the government creates a backdrop of its voters' desire for EU membership, while at the same time attacking the EU and blaming it for its own wrongdoing in recent years.

According to the deputy, the only way for the government to justify these actions is maximum polarization between Georgia and the European Union. In his assessment, the topic of undermining sovereignty and independence is a 'poor propaganda campaign', the aim of which is to retain power at any cost.

The opposition figure also assessed the speech of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at the EU enlargement summit organized by 'Euronews'. According to Sharashidze, Kobakhidze and other members of 'Georgian Dream' are accustomed to monologue-style conversations with journalists, while debates with a European moderator irritated them, which was followed by verbal attacks against the journalist. According to him, Kobakhidze does not have the ability to answer critical questions.