Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, commented on the protest planned by the “Opposition Alliance” for May 26, stating that its participants are acting in the interests of foreign clients.
According to him, the opposition will attempt to demonstrate “sufficient numbers” of participants to fulfill a “foreign order” aimed at subordinating Georgia’s development to external interests.
Papuashvili also stated that a group of people has formed in the country whom he called “October 4 citizens,” who, he claimed, have distanced themselves from the state’s “core values.”
“We see these ‘October 4 coup-plotters’ everywhere there is violence, hatred, and the concession of Georgia’s interests in favor of others. At the same time, we did not see them at the funeral of our Patriarch (Ilia II — Ed.), nor at the enthronement of the new Patriarch, nor at the celebration of the victory over fascism, nor on Family Purity Day,” he noted.
The head of the Georgian parliament also stated that, in his opinion, some of these people feel “comfortable with foreign diplomats and politicians” but do not feel at ease with their own country, society, and church.
“There is a group of people — not only politicians, but representatives of various professions, including doctors and teachers — who, it seems to me, oppose Georgia’s historical development and seek to subordinate it to external interests to earn applause from others,” the politician added.
Papuashvili claims that for such people, international recognition is more important than the development of their own country.
“It is important to them that an MEP (Member of the European Parliament) applauds them, that an ambassador hugs them, that they are invited to European events, have their hands shaken, and take photos. This, in their opinion, is the pinnacle of personal success,” he added.
The Speaker of Parliament emphasized that such processes allow one to “see more clearly where Georgian society stands and where the marginalized group stands,” which Papuashvili accused of using “foreign flags and anthems” and rejecting national symbols.