Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili says the goal of the radical opposition group is to disrupt the local self-government elections.

His remarks came in response to a statement by Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Droa party, who declared that “October 5 will be a date of defiance, not elections.”

Speaking to journalists, Papuashvili claimed that Khoshtaria is not acting solely on her own behalf.

“Elene Khoshtaria is speaking not only in her own name but also on behalf of a group aligned with Salome Zourabichvili.”

Today we saw Salome Zourabichvili shaking hands with a British minister. Yet, the very group she represents is working to derail the local elections. Article 4 of our strategic partnership agreement with the United Kingdom clearly states the commitment to uphold the stability of democratic institutions. Accordingly, when you shake hands with a person who has an extremist agenda, who does not recognize democratic institutions, elections, laws, and is working to disrupt the upcoming elections, you are encouraging an extremist agenda.

Now it is official – the goal of the radical opposition bloc is to sabotage the local elections. Anyone who collaborates with them, funds them, or maintains cordial relations with them is encouraging an attack on democratic institutions and becoming complicit in an extremist political agenda,” ,” he noted.