“I am disappointed when I expect something from someone, but I did not have high expectations from Madam Salome,” stated Tako Charkviani, leader of the Law and Justice Party, during the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s “Topic of the Day” program.

Charkviani emphasised her unwavering commitment to opposition unity, declaring her readiness to step back from leadership if necessary. “If the word ‘unity’ is mentioned somewhere, I am ready to act accordingly. I can immediately become an ordinary participant in the struggle, and I have no ambitions to do otherwise in the future.”

However, she criticised what she sees as misplaced personal ambitions among opposition figures. “Some people see themselves as prime ministers in unwinnable battles. I don’t indulge in gossip; I rely on their statements. For example, I remember Khazaradze once said, ‘Elect me as prime minister, and prosperity will follow.’ I simply don’t understand them.”

Flawed Strategies and Confused Messaging

When pressed about specific strategic failures, Charkviani argued that Zourabichvili’s statements sowed confusion and hesitation among supporters.

“I have said this many times — and I am surprised that many are afraid of this word. It simply requires elementary lexical clarity: when we talk about an uprising, a popular uprising does not imply armed conflict. There was no armed conflict in 2003; it just happened,” she explained.

Charkviani defended her approach to parliamentary boycotts, noting: “When the opposition refuses to enter parliament, I support that approach. You know my position — I was the last in times of UNM to advocate for a boycott. If you call for a boycott, you should participate in it.”

She took particular pride in the opposition’s fight against the Russian law, describing it as an “honest fight” where “women, men, and especially women” in the 10th convocation did “everything possible to prevent its passage during the first hearing.”

Critical Moments and Betrayed Trust

Charkviani expressed frustration with what she characterised as Zourabichvili’s tendency to leave supporters in limbo. “I didn’t expect Madam Salome to take more radical steps; her statements seemed to do just that. She practically put people on hold. Am I right? I believe I am not exaggerating.”

She referenced a particularly awkward incident on December 31st when Paata Burchuladze’s microphone was cut off, praising his measured response while criticising the treatment of sincere opposition figures like “the extraordinary doctor Chakhunashvili, a true fighter.”

“Offending such people, breaking their hearts, is akin to betrayal. When you say, ‘Well, what can we do? Everything else is radicalism,’ that’s problematic. If an oppositionist isn’t a radical, what is he or she for?” Charkviani demanded.

Opposition Rivalries and Rehabilitation Attempts

Addressing questions about coordination between different opposition platforms, Charkviani expressed particular disdain for attempts to rehabilitate what she considers discredited political figures.

“As soon as that lady appeared with her obscene language — I mean [Tamar] Chergoleishvili — I blame Madam Salome more. Because it’s a bankrupt party that people have forgotten, and this couple has zero credibility. Why are you attempting to rehabilitate it? That’s a question for the true opposition figures standing on Rustaveli Street.”

Local Elections and Future Betrayals

Charkviani predicted further fractures within opposition ranks, particularly regarding local elections. She expressed near-certainty that some parties would break ranks: “I have 99% certainty that Lelo has started discussing local elections, though I leave a 1% margin for doubt.”

Regarding Giorgi Gakharia’s position, she was blunt: “Gakharia is likely to violate agreements completely.”

The Question of Bail and Mass Protest

On the contentious issue of politicians paying bail to avoid detention, Charkviani offered a nuanced position tied to the scale of protest mobilization.

“If there were genuine mass protests — with hundreds of thousands of people in the streets — bail should not be paid. However, since no such large-scale protest is occurring now, I question why people should be imprisoned without cause.”