Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, in an interview with Imedi TV on Wednesday, strongly criticized the ongoing opposition boycott of Parliament, calling the “radical opposition” irrelevant to Georgia’s political future. According to Kobakhidze, the opposition’s presence, whether inside or outside the legislative body, has no impact on the country’s progress.
The boycott, led by four opposition parties who claim the 2024 elections were “rigged,” is set against a backdrop of growing public protests, particularly over the government’s decision not to prioritize European Union accession talks until 2028. Yet the PM claims that these events have had little effect on the country’s trajectory.
“Everything is over for the radical opposition, but everything continues for our country,” Kobakhidze stated, emphasizing that the country is on track for sustained growth in various sectors, including the economy. He dismissed the opposition protests, suggesting their influence on the nation’s political climate is “minimal.”
“Their protests have failed to gain traction,” Kobakhidze added. “Since the beginning of January, they have been unable to gather even 500 people per day on average. The rallies are mostly funded, with some of the participants being NGO activists or party members. Genuine, unfunded activists are rare at these events.”
The Prime Minister also addressed the potential for unrest, claiming that the government had neutralized any risks posed by opposition-led demonstrations. “We have already exhausted any potential for violence from the radical opposition,” he asserted. “They no longer have the resources to cause harm to the country.”
In Kobakhidze’s view, the opposition’s attempts to delegitimize the government, both inside and outside of Parliament, hold no weight in the context of Georgia’s ongoing development. He reiterated that the government’s focus remains on the nation’s growth and stability, despite the challenges posed by the opposition’s actions.
By Team GT
