One of the leaders of the opposition Lelo party Badri Japaridze said he hoped that the reaction of Georgia’s friend states would wake up hotheads in the ruling Georgian Dream party. Japaridze echoed the international partners’ comments on the political developments in Georgia.

According to Badri Japaridze, if negotiations between the government and opposition resume, street protests planned by the opposition may be postponed. He said radical approach under the current situation would lead to uncontrolled processes.

“Our goal is not staging protests. Our task is to defuse the political crisis in this country. Otherwise, we may see processes that will be impossible to control and our citizens may suffer greatly. Therefore, our task is to reach an agreement in both directions. First, the immediate crisis diffusion related to Nika Melia’s court ruling. The second is the political crisis that followed the October 31 elections,” Badri Japaridze said.

Lelo leader said that hearing of the ministerial candidates in the parliament was not a normal process since the opposition was not taking part in the parliamentary work.

Georgia’s partner states called on the Georgian government and opposition to exercise utmost restraint and resolve the differences through peaceful negotiations.