“If politicians took a principled stand and went to prison for refusing to recognize this parliament and the so-called commission, why would they now recognize a president elected by that same parliament?” said Giorgi Butikashvili, a member of the Coalition for Change.

According to Butikashvili, Mikheil Kavelashvili is seeking to gain legitimacy both domestically and internationally, but is failing.

“Kavelashvili is desperately trying to present himself as a legitimate president, but no one recognizes him—neither inside the country nor internationally. He has turned the election into a means of seeking legitimacy, yet it’s clear that no one accepts it.

If politicians took a principled stand and went to prison for refusing to recognize this parliament and the so-called commission, why would they now recognize a president elected by that same parliament? Don’t make a mockery of yourselves. He’s already a figure of ridicule. If he’s a puppet of the Ivanishvili regime, let remain one to the end,” Butikashvili said.

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili appealed to imprisoned opposition politicians to submit clemency applications, confirm their desire to participate in elections, and he will immediately issue pardons.