“On May 26, the public will hear from leaders, and not only from leaders, a roadmap for how we are moving towards the release of political prisoners, towards free and fair elections, and, amongst other things, towards the restoration of the European path,” declared Giorgi Butikashvili, one of the members of the Opposition Alliance.

He further stated that the rally will differ from those that have preceded it.

“The May 26 rally is in the planning stages. It will begin at 19:00 at Tbilisi State University and proceed as a march to Freedom Square, where there will be both political speeches and specific announcements for the public to hear; all of this is currently being worked on. There will, of course, be surprises; it will be different from what has gone before, and the public will hear from leaders, and not only from leaders, a roadmap for how we are moving towards the release of political prisoners, towards free and fair elections, and towards the restoration of the European path.

This is an Alliance rally, and the Alliance is qualitatively different from what has existed before. It represents the unity of the political opposition, a strong alternative that commands public support, as surveys have confirmed. Accordingly, it is important for the Alliance, as a political alternative, to show the public a clear path and strategy for how we are moving towards free elections and the restoration of this country’s European course.

The list of speakers has not yet been finalised; it is still in the planning process, but we shall see; let us wait for May 26. What matters most is that we turn out in great numbers and show Georgian Dream that we will not be reconciled to this. Consultations are also ongoing with Madam Salome Zourabichvili. We shall see on May 26, the final list has not yet been drawn up,” declared Butikashvili.

A journalist asked Butikashvili about the statements made by Mikheil Saakashvili and Levan Khabeishvili, in which they emphasised that the May 26 rally should not be disbanded, that the opposition should unite under a single flag, and that Saakashvili’s messages should be embraced.

In response, Butikashvili stated that the views of Saakashvili and Khabeishvili are currently being discussed within the Opposition Alliance. He added that some elements have been accepted, while others have not.

“The United National Movement is a member of the Alliance, and accordingly, every idea that comes from Khabeishvili or Mikheil Saakashvili is discussed within the Alliance each time, and naturally, some elements are taken on board, and some are not, as is the case with every other party. Decisions are taken based on consensus, and accordingly, the Alliance is mindful of the responsibility it has assumed and will act as consensus dictates,” declared Butikashvili.

In response to a journalist’s question as to why, if there is no internal conflict within the Alliance, the United National Movement does not attend Alliance meetings, Butikashvili replied: “The Alliance affords each member the freedom to pursue individual projects and, amongst other things, to attend to its own party development.”