“We are ready for a constructive dialogue, but we will not budge on our position. Why should we change it, given that Mamuka Khazradze and Badri Japaridze (leaders of the Lelo party) have a unique plan?” said Levan Sanikidze, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) party.

According to Sanikidze, when political prisoners remain incarcerated, new parliamentary elections are not convened, the Central Election Commission has deteriorated further, and the elections themselves have lost their sense.

“What is the point of engaging in debate when we have an illegitimate government, we are no longer represented in parliament, over 500 people have been seriously injured in recent months, the government is shunned by the international community, and members of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s entourage are listed on the Magnitsky list?” Sanikidze asked.

Sanikidze further stated that for so long, they have been urging us to initiate a dialogue, and now they have finally taken the first step. However, he questioned whether two political organizations with divergent viewpoints can coexist on the same platform, asserting that we are not yet at that stage.

“The Lelo party, however, refuses to engage in any form of public discussion. We respect public opinion and believe it is inconceivable that Lelo can overcome this obstacle without alienating a significant portion of its electorate. I firmly believe that this has been a dishonest stance from the outset. It has now become apparent that they intend to participate in the elections; let them do so, and we will observe their actions. This is a classic case of inconsistency.

I would not wish such a fate upon this movement, but they will have to endure a fierce two-way onslaught from both the Georgian Dream and our side. Under no circumstances will we remain silent, because I believe this is a clear game orchestrated by Ivanishvili, serving the same purpose that was announced at the time—whether intentionally or unintentionally—regarding the evasion of sanctions against Georgian businessmen in the United States. As Mamuka Khazaradze has stated, let us not assume that this international pressure on Bidzina Ivanishvili will be alleviated by his running for election with Lelo,” Sanikidze said.