For Georgia’s Kekenadze: Papuashvili’s daily statements have become somewhat laughable

“Papuashvili’s daily statements have become somewhat ridiculous. We understand that he has taken on the role of the main propagandist, but today’s statement goes beyond even his usual standards, and we are dealing with complete nonsense,” Tamar Kekenaidze, a member of Gakharia for Georgia, said.

According to Kekenaidze, the opposition is creating an environment to preserve Georgia’s future of European development.

“It is unfortunate that the so-called Speaker of Parliament has already descended into this kind of nonsense. I would advise Papuashvili to speak first and foremost about his own image and standing. He has truly lost face in the eyes of Georgian citizens.

As for the form, substance and character of the protest, neither Papuashvili nor any one person can decide that. The people who stand there every day are defending their future, including at the cost of their own health, lives, freedom and economic well-being.

Therefore, it is very welcome that although we may not see on the streets today the number of people who were there several months ago, this protest has not disappeared anywhere.

Our task as an opposition political party is to ensure that free spaces are not lost in Georgia. Nor is Papuashvili the one to determine the outcome. Those people themselves determine the outcome.

The fact that there is still the capacity and opportunity in Georgia for free speech and expression of opinion is demonstrated by what these people do every day. Together, we are creating an environment to preserve Georgia’s future of European democratic development, regardless of Papuashvili’s wishes and what he says.

Even if only one person were standing there, it would mean that we are still managing to preserve democratic space in this country. How many people stand outside on any given day is for those people to decide.

Our main task as an opposition party is to ensure that, whether in Parliament, municipal councils, the regions or any other format, we do not leave Georgian Dream alone anywhere,” Kekenaidze said.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili wrote on social media: “According to the opposition calendar, today marks Day 666 of the ‘protest.’ This milestone date provides a good opportunity to thoroughly describe how a group of political protest activists transformed into a pseudo-religious movement.”