The opposition party “Lelo — Strong Georgia” commented on the statement of the third president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, saying that his words are an attempt to fuel tension and conflict within the opposition.
Saakashvili called the “Lelo” and “Ahali” parties “business projects”: the former a project of Badri Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze, and the latter of the Gilauri brothers.
“Lelo” emphasized that this accusation is groundless and cannot change reality. The opposition force characterized it as “mud” and “slanderous statements,” refusing to participate in “mud-slinging.”
The party emphasized that the business and political activities of its leaders were deliberately separated, and recalled that Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze gave up successful business careers, personal well-being, and family safety to oppose the influence of the authorities and the policies of the Russian Federation.
“Lelo” recalled that Khazaradze and Japaridze had twice renounced their parliamentary mandates, participated in protest actions, and faced political persecution and deprivation of liberty.
“Lelo” turned its criticism back on Saakashvili, stating that during his rule, Georgia fell under Russian influence, while his party—the “National Movement”—experienced internal crises and splits.
“It is regrettable that one of the former leaders of a free Georgia has found himself in his current position… We will not engage in mutual insults and internal conflicts. We will continue our struggle with the same principled approach and see it through to the end. We will certainly win,” “Lelo” stated.