Otar Grigolia, chairman of the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia faction in the Tbilisi City Council, expressed concerns that the debates held by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe regarding Georgia could further increase political polarization in the country.

” I want to emphasize that some of the facts presented in this document are incorrect or exaggerated. I don’t know what is the source of this information, and why it was enough to make such dramatic conclusions. Unfortunately, none of our colleagues reached out to us for a different perspective. None of them. I don’t understand what is the purpose of the meetings in the Congress if we don’t talk with each other. The document, what we are discussing now focuses on polarization in the society and it is a big problem in Georgia. However, the ongoing debate today may increase polarization, because it may be used as a political weapon for the political groups a week before the 2024 parliamentary elections. It’s a pre-election period now in Georgia, in one week after we have elections. When we put all together, with all the respect, we see the clear intention to influence elections and ongoing political processes in Georgia. So, I can’t explain why the Congress is interested to make influence on the elections, but it will not strengthen democracy in the country of Georgia.

However, we are committed to cooperation and dialogue as well, as we are trying to find common ground. We will continue our long way toward the European future, EU integration while working hard to navigate in these challenging times, due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and you know that our region in the fire now in the north, in the south. So it’s very hard to survive in these conditions. And last what I want to say, I want to say thank you for all of you who deeply from hearts want to br ing something building our country. I know it’s a good intention from you, but there is a context that you should take into consideration,” he stated.