The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party chair, Irakli Kobakhidze, believes that November 8 was a “dark day” for the radical opposition since their plans over candidate status failed.

At the plenary sitting in the parliament, the GD Chair said that Georgia went through a difficult 20-month period, following the official application for EU membership.

He congratulated everyone on the European Commission’s decision and thanked the Georgian people for not allowing anyone to use this issue against the country’s interests.

“The issue, which should have been a catalyst for unity, was manipulated by the opposition to intensify polarisation. A multitude of falsehoods were spread, including the claim that billions in funding were tied to the candidate’s status. All this served the sole purpose – to incite the public’s emotions around this issue. It was the disinformation spread to further stir up polarisation,” he said.

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, the opposition sabotaged the 12-point recommendations’ fulfilment, but the EC poured “cold water onto their plans.”

“November 8 was a dark day for the radical opposition. Their plans failed,” he said.

On November 8, the European Commission recommended the European Council to grant EU candidate status to Georgia.