“Everything will be done to maintain peace and stability in the country,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated in connection with the action plan prepared by the program director of the organisation IRI Georgia, which outlines holding protest rallies in September in case the European Union suspends Georgia’s visa liberalisation.

According to Kaladze, a change of government should only take place through elections, while all attempts to organise a revolution are doomed to fail.

“You should not be surprised, as this is not the first attempt to organise a revolution. Such intentions still exist, using radicals inside the country as agents. I believe these attempts will continue, but the Georgian government and state will not allow a coup, bloodshed, or confrontation among the people. This will not happen. All state institutions will be ready to fulfil their responsibilities.

Naturally, not everyone supports the government – ​​some think differently. That is why elections exist. When you want to change the government, the majority must express their position through elections. But when you are in the minority and try to use force, intimidation, or violence to ‘break’ the situation, this is unacceptable. We will not allow it. Everything will be done to maintain peace and stability. Whoever is involved from outside, as in previous attempts to stage revolutions, must know that such actions will always fail,” said Kaladze.

Commenting on the possible suspension of visa-free travel with the EU, the mayor said recent statements had nothing to do with visa liberalisation.

“The demands voiced are completely unrealistic and unrelated to visa liberalisation. The European Commission has noted that Georgia has made progress and is among the leading countries. At the same time, some do not like our government simply because we are not acting as someone’s agents and do not blindly follow their decisions, which are often harmful to our country and people. We defend our homeland and our national interests, and this policy will continue,” Kaladze stated.