Opposition politicians remark on President’s reconciliation initiative

“We should wait for the next steps from the president,” a member of the Girchi party, Iago Khvichia, said, remarking that the meeting was aimed to “bring together people of different political fancies and make them talk to each other.” “President hopes to break the ice and let us see,” he said.

According to Levan Ioseliani, MP of the Citizens party, assembling opponents in one space is a step forward. “Gathering in one space without facilitators is a step forward. Georgians must learn to talk to each other. That begins with meeting and greeting each other with more steps to follow. National accord is essential to address the challenges that the country faces, especially in the regional context, against the background of Russian aggression,” Levan Ioseliani said.

MP Salome Samadashvili said President wants to launch individual meetings, but it is hard to predict expectations and outcomes against the messages of the ruling Georgian Dream party, which considers any talk about the release of jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili as unacceptable.

“Dialogue has no alternative. I will actively engage in the political dialogue,” said the leader of the Law and Justice party Tako Charkviani.

President Salome Zourabichvili hosted representatives of political parties at the Orbeliani Palace on December 16.