“This party and its leader, I think, have become quite harsh, polarized comments from all sides,” said EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell in response to a question from InterPressNews about a message from former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s party, saying that “it was created for Georgia, but against no one.”
Hartzell answered the question how realistic this approach is in the Georgian reality, in which polarization has a certain history.
“I think this is a well-defined beginning and I would say that it should be the goal of many. At the same time, this party and its leader, I think, have become a subject to quite harsh, polarized comments from all sides,” he said.
He also answered the question what he expects from Gakharia and his new opposition party.
“It is quite early. I would just say that I think his decision to re-enter politics and form a new party is partly part of the development we have seen as more parties emerge and provide wider choice and pluralism, which may be an important factor in the development of political discourse in this country. I know that the six parliamentarians who joined his party have also signed the agreement and I believe this is another essentially pro-European party that will try to popularize these ideals. Beyond that, I am not in a position to say much more, only time will tell the rest,” the EU ambassador said in an interview with InterpressNews.
Gakharia resigned as PM on February 18 due to differences of opinion about the arrest of Nika Melia, the leader of the National Movement. However, following his resignation, the former PM recently established a new political force ‘For Georgia,’ saying that “they are uniting for Georgia, but against no one.”
A few days ago, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former chairman of the Georgian Dream, issued a letter calling Gakharia, the former prime minister, a “traitor” for resigning.
Source: IPN.ge
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