“Lelo should take a long, hard look at its own ratings and ask how much genuine support it actually commands. If its leaders approach that question with any objectivity, they may well conclude that going it alone in the political arena is a luxury they can ill afford, because in reality, they have no meaningful support whatsoever,” said MP Davit Matikashvili, a member of the parliamentary majority.

He also maintained that the statement issued by Strong Georgia–Lelo was designed for the consumption of its foreign patrons and would amount to nothing in practice.

“They will be a very dangerous force to the rest of the political spectrum. I say that in jest, of course. What have they ever achieved together that they might hope to accomplish apart? If we are to treat this seriously, though, how seriously Lelo deserves to be taken is itself a question; the starting point for any politician or political party must be public support. If you do not have the backing of the public, what exactly are you doing in politics?

Lelo should measure its own ratings, see how much support it has, and if its leadership approaches that question honestly, they may well decide that standing alone in the political arena is not worth the bother, because they have no real support to speak of. Whether they are together or apart, zero plus zero is still zero. Naturally, this statement is designed for their own self-preservation and, in all likelihood, for the benefit of their patrons abroad, and it will have no tangible consequences whatsoever,” Matikashvili declared.

For context, Strong Georgia–Lelo had published a statement indicating that the party is prepared to cooperate on shared national interests, whilst continuing to operate as an independent political entity.