“Salome Zourabichvili is the opposition leader. What the opposition represents is precisely who their leader is,” declared Shalva Papuashvili, the Georgian Parliament Speaker, during a recent press briefing.

He asserted that ex-President Salome Zourabishvili epitomizes the essence of the opposition.

“When you ask why Salome Zourabichvili is not the opposition leader, I respond, ‘How could she not be?’ She is, in fact, the opposition leader. Her image is a true reflection of the opposition itself. As the saying goes, ‘like attracts like,’ thank God—what the opposition embodies is mirrored in their leader. Salome Zourabichvili’s role in the opposition is to reveal to society what the opposition truly stands for. Through her rhetoric and hostility toward the country, along with her fabrications, she personifies the opposition.

Just two days ago, she addressed the British Parliament remotely, discussing alleged Russian influence in Georgia’s elections. A former president who made such serious accusations against her own country should be prepared to provide evidence. However, when pressed for facts, she couldn’t respond. Is it not shameful and anti-Georgian to level such accusations without merit? She has turned against her own nation and the very citizens who elected her president, making unfounded claims only to backtrack when challenged. When asked for evidence, her reply was: “I have no facts; I’m not a security service.” If she lacks evidence, why make such accusations?

This highlights an essential truth: when one lacks knowledge, one should refrain from speaking. Thus, Salome Zourabichvili serves a purpose in illustrating the nature of our opposition and the NGO sector; she is the face of a foreign-influenced opposition. I may not fully grasp the opposition’s motives, but I do know this: Salome Zourabichvili cannot effectively disguise or conceal negative aspects of her character; it is evident. She mirrors the opposition with her statements, hostility, behaviour, misguided assessments, and contradictory rhetoric—truly the embodiment of the opposition. And that, at least, is a good thing,” stated Shalva Papuashvili.