“Regarding civil servants, Saakashvili’s statement might be aimed at saying, ‘People, don’t be afraid, I’m kind and will keep you in your jobs,'” declared Iago Khvichia, leader of the Girchi party.

Khvichia was responding to a Facebook post by former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, in which he addresses public servants: “There will be no targeted dismissals under the new government, your salaries will increase significantly, and your jobs will become much more prestigious.”

“Let me tell you what public servants should believe instead of Saakashvili’s promise: If they circle many 36s in the elections, we will pay their salaries for three years and send them home without doing a job. They will receive salaries to start a new life. There can’t be a better promise than this, compared to Saakashvili saying he won’t arrest them. Man, we won’t arrest them; we’ll give them money to find employment in the private sector and build their lives.

I think a large portion of civil servants will have sentiments towards Saakashvili. During Saakashvili’s time, both I and other public servants started working without being promoted or having paid a fee for the post. Such an appeal might actually work for them. His statement’s purpose might be to say, ‘People, don’t be afraid, I’m kind and will keep you in your jobs,'” stated Iago Khvichia.