Giorgi Vashadze, leader of Strategy Aghmashenebeli, says that instead of making statements attacking the British Ambassador and the European Union, representatives of Georgian Dream ought to go out among the people and acquaint themselves with their problems.

Vashadze was asked about Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili’s comments regarding the British Ambassador.

“Do you know what grieves me most of all? Why are these people always drawn towards the worst? You hold such a high office, at least, that is what you think, surely you could come out and say something of benefit to the people? I think they are living in an entirely different world. What British Ambassador? Let them go out and talk about what is happening in the country: fuel prices, food prices, unemployment, migration, demographics.

First, they are at war with Denmark, it seems, attacking it; then it is Brussels; then the EU. I want to ask the citizens of Georgia and the supporters of Georgian Dream: when this esteemed individual attacked the British Ambassador, did that get any of you a job? Did prices come down for you? Will fuel prices fall? Will children’s medicines be funded? Surely these people need to do something? I say to them as well: people, I think your heads are in a fog: get out on the streets, talk to the public, join us; we are out on the streets day and night, go and listen to the people. You are somewhere else entirely, completely cut off from reality. Do you think you gained anything with that statement? Did Georgia gain anything? Did anyone get employed? Was anything good achieved? Did we attract any investment with that statement? Things are getting worse and worse; that is a fact, is it not? That is why you must come out on May 26th, and we are the people who will put an end to this misery in this country,” Giorgi Vashadze remarked.

Vashadze also says that even Georgian Dream’s talk of ending polarisation is an illusion.

“These are accomplished liars. They use that word to deceive the people once again, as though they actually want to put something right. What does ending polarisation require? It is essential to free the political prisoners, repeal the unjust laws, engage in dialogue with the people, and truly listen to their concerns. Tell them from me, if you will: stop running to Washington and Brussels. The key is not there. The key is in Georgia. It is here that Georgia’s fate is being decided, and they should talk to the people, come out, and then polarisation will end when they renounce hate speech, malice, and these daily statements of theirs. Come outside, talk to the people. The problems of society lie elsewhere, and you have crossed over entirely into surrealism,” Giorgi Vashadze declared.