Strategy Aghmashenebeli’s Manjgaladze: Blocked democratic channels justify anti-government protests

“There is a fundamental principle: if democratic means are blocked, the people have the right to take to the streets and change the government. Thomas Jefferson said this, and Irakli Kobakhidze is well aware of it,” said Paata Manjgaladze, leader of the Strategy Agmashenebeli party.

According to him, many citizens will rally on October 4 who are uncomfortable with Bidzina Ivanishvili consolidating power.

“On October 4, many citizens will take to the streets because they do not accept that Ivanishvili has seized power. If you tell me he has not taken authority, I will ask: the President of the United Arab Emirates and a royal delegation visited Georgia. Was the main figure there the Prime Minister of Georgia or the King of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili? Who met with the Sheikh and the royal representatives? It was the King, Bidzina Ivanishvili.

We do not have a king in Georgia, nor do we intend for Ivanishvili to usurp the will and authority of the Georgian people so that Juansher [Burchuladze, former Defence Minister] can then embezzle money.

In fact, the government itself is provoking a revolution and the overthrow of the authorities. There is a principle: if democratic channels are blocked, the people have the right to protest and change the government. I did not invent this; Thomas Jefferson said this, and Irakli Kobakhidze knows it well,” concluded Paata Manjgaladze.