Ahali’s Tengo Tevzadze: Opposition Alliance in its initial format is dysfunctional and defunct; yet we maintain active coordination with member parties

“The announcement of the Alliance on 31 March regarding 26 May served as a mobilisation of the public, primarily targeting Tbilisi,” stated Tengo Tevzadze, General Secretary of the Ahali party, during an appearance on GPB First Channel’s Topic of the Day.

“Tens of thousands of people rallied at that protest, generating immense pushback through sheer numerical strength. We explicitly stated that this mobilisation campaign would extend nationwide, followed by continuous civil protest.

Yet we watched as, from 27 May onwards, specific opposition parties and leaders inexplicably began treating inter-opposition coordination as a potential threat; a deeply regrettable turn of events. What followed was a concoction of fabrications directed against the Coalition for Change, ranging from allegations of 20 million GEL to 40 million USD,” Tevzadze noted.

Tevzadze was responding to a question from program host Tamta Sanikidze regarding the opposition’s activities over the past three months, asking whether they had fulfilled the roadmap promised to supporters at the 26 May rally, given that the public witnessed primarily hostile, derogatory mutual recriminations across the opposition flank.

When asked whether this internal friction had derailed their ability to execute their operational strategy and deliver on promises, Tevzadze maintained that nothing would obstruct their momentum.

“No, nothing will obstruct us; we will press ahead with our work. Coordination remains intact, and that coordination continues,” Tevzadze affirmed.

When pressed on whether the Opposition Alliance still exists, Tevzadze acknowledged that the coalition, as originally constituted, has proven dysfunctional.

“In its initial format, it no longer exists; however, we maintain active coordination with individual political parties within the Alliance. For instance, just two days ago, opposition political parties convened a meeting right at the Ahali party headquarters,” Tevzadze revealed.

He added that the next phase of the campaign must centre around widespread protest under a unified banner: “Georgia Without Bidzina.”

“‘Georgia Without Bidzina’ represents our immediate objective. First and foremost, civil society groups and an organisation representing IDPs from Abkhazia have called a protest for 27 September outside Tbilisi State University; an initiative the opposition parties are officially joining.

On 27 September, Ahali, alongside every constituent party of the Coalition for Change, will take part in this rally. In the near future, we also intend to organise large-scale demonstrations and mobilise the public around an explicit promise.

We previously offered Georgian Dream and Bidzina Ivanishvili a six-point proposal that served as a lifeline. Instead, Irakli Kobakhidze and Mamuka Mdinaradze shoved Ivanishvili down a steep decline that will inevitably culminate in his defeat. They backed him into signing off on the banning of political parties, and Ivanishvili, to speak plainly, politically condoned their arrogance. Now Ivanishvili will be held accountable for them too, and ultimately, the political takeaway is clear: Georgia without Bidzina,” Tevzadze declared.

Tevzadze added that “Georgia’s salvation lies in a future without Bidzina.”

When asked how voters should navigate the severe allegations levelled by former teammates, Tevzadze dismissed the premise as manipulation, asserting the accusers were never teammates.

The host reminded the guest that they had operated as like-minded allies within the same political camp, citing statements by UNM’s Ani Tsitlidze that Nika Gvaramia had served for years as a principal ideologue and influential figure within the United National Movement.

Tevzadze countered: “Was he a teammate or an ideologue? If people came to seek his counsel and advice, we would gladly advise anyone who approaches us; that poses no issue whatsoever.”