“They have employed every possible tool to blackmail the people, except one: visa liberalisation. Firing this last shot only makes sense if you are sure it will succeed, and if you believe it will help bring the United National Movement back into power,” said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on the programme Imedi LIVE.

The Prime Minister emphasised that he does not expect the suspension of visa-free travel, as this remains the last weapon in their arsenal.

“I do not anticipate such an unpragmatic step being taken for one simple reason: it is the final weapon they possess. We know that their informal masters have exploited the EU issue to blackmail the Georgian people, firing many shots in this regard, including withholding candidate status, delaying negotiations, and suspending Georgia’s European integration process from June 27, 2024. They have used every tool at their disposal to pressure the nation, except for one: visa liberalisation. Firing this last shot only makes sense if you are sure it will succeed, and if you believe it will help bring the United National Movement back into power.

Yet if they fire this shot and still cannot restore the collective ‘National Movement’ to authority, then what is the point? It would be impractical to take such a step. Everyone can see that if this bullet is fired, it will not succeed; they will still be unable to bring the United National Movement back to power. Therefore, under these circumstances, no one should consider such an irrational move. That is the main reason I believe they will remain pragmatic and refrain from making this decision,” the Prime Minister stated.

When asked whether it is reasonable to assume that the European Commission will wait for the culmination of political processes, Kobakhidze responded:

“They might try to do so, but there will be no real culmination. We will have quiet years ahead. There are no forthcoming elections within the next two years; all political parties should prepare for 2028; this includes the European Commission, which has actively engaged in the electoral process by directly urging the Georgian public to support the United National Movement. Everyone should prepare for the 2028 parliamentary elections,” the Prime Minister concluded.