Gakharia’s Pilpani: GD uses psychological blackmail to keep power; it does not end UNM, but extends its rule

“The Georgian people have already decisively rejected the United National Movement once before, changing the government in the hope of a brighter future. Yet many of these citizens now find themselves profoundly disappointed, as one oppressive regime has replaced another,” stated Vika Pilpani, a member of the Gakharia for Georgia party, during the plenary session of Parliament.

According to her, in its 13th year in power, Georgian Dream continues to evade responsibility for the country’s social issues by scapegoating the United National Movement.

“October marks thirteen years since Georgian Dream first came to power. Throughout this period, one of their most persistent promises to end the UNM influence remains unfulfilled. Now, in their thirteenth year, the party once again shirks accountability for Georgia’s social problems by shifting blame onto the United National Movement. Instead of addressing the real issues, Georgian Dream is engaging in psychological blackmail, fomenting and nurturing the UNM to intimidate voters.

Georgian Dream itself assisted the UNM in organising the fake revolution. Months before the elections, they allocated airtime on Rustavi 2 to their own propaganda, sharing hopeful stories while simultaneously frightening their supporters with the recurring anecdotal phrase: “The UNM is returning.” This involved the participation of dubious characters linked to the United National Movement.

Months before the confrontation at the Orbeliani Palace, the rally organisers, the UNM, openly discussed their intention to overthrow the government, incite a revolution, and had plans to start on the 4th and end on the 4th. Not a single one of them was even interrogated.

A year ago, you confiscated nearly all of the official property of the Prime Minister, the very person you praised and thanked for being Orthodox, yet you did not touch the funds Kezerashvili earned from call centres. Despite our requests, you did not even initiate an investigation into this matter.

Now, you are planning to ban the UNM, but you refer to those persecuted by the UNM as the collective National Movement, even though some among your ranks were donors to the UNM or their majoritarian candidates in 2016.

Which court will you turn to to ban the UNM? Will it be Judge Murusidze in the Girgvliani case? Or did you send the ban lawsuit to Judge Chinchaladze, the so-called UNM? This is the reality of your thirteen-year battle against the UNM. You are not genuinely aiming to eliminate the United National Movement; instead, you are using them as a tool to prolong your grip on power, relying on their enemy image to maintain your authority.

You have no right to subject the people to poverty, injustice, and violence in your thirteenth year of rule. The Georgian people have already decisively rejected the UNM once before, changing the government in the hope of a better future. Yet, many of these citizens now find themselves utterly disappointed, as one oppressive regime has replaced another.

That is why we are here today: to ensure that this lie does not go unanswered. We are here to expose all the falsehoods! The truth, which rightfully belongs to the Georgian people, must be heard in Parliament,” said Pilpani.