“I want to extend my hand to Saakashvili, he is a historical figure in Georgia who carried out such effective reforms that the whole world was talking about them,” stated one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition, Aleko Elisashvili.

Elisashvili declares that former president Mikheil Saakashvili did not start the war [2008 August Russia-Georgia War] and that he “criticized him for recklessness.”

“I want to extend my hand to Saakashvili. It is a fact that I have never spoken positively about him, but let’s look at it this way: Saakashvili is a very prominent figure, a significant historical figure in Georgia. I will acknowledge a few good things—I’m not entirely negative about him. I will also point out some bad, and I have one condition: that we extend our hands in reconciliation.

They may not let me reach Saakashvili directly, but from here, I am reaching out to him—because Saakashvili was the person who pulled this country out of the swamp and cleaned it of corruption. That is a fact. He implemented such effective reforms that the entire world was talking about them. It’s also a fact that the police became professional, customs improved, and Georgia took major steps forward. These are undeniable facts.

Another point I want to highlight is that Saakashvili did not start the war. Georgia did not initiate the conflict. Tskhinvali, Java, Znauri, and the Roki Tunnel—all are Georgian territory. I criticized Saakashvili for recklessness,” Elisashvili said.