Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, stated that she fully shares and supports the initiative of the “Georgia First” movement and its leader, Viktor Kipiani, to consolidate the entire opposition around the demand for free and fair elections. She believes that changing the current situation is possible only through consolidation and disciplined, active, and intensive joint work.
“The initiative is not about starting a dialogue with Bidzina Ivanishvili, but about consolidating the opposition and taking active steps to achieve free and fair elections through systemic pressure on Bidzina Ivanishvili.
I believe this is our main task right now. Even those political forces that consider it possible to participate in any elections, despite our strategic differences, can work with us. After all, it is impossible to claim that you do not want free elections. This goal objectively unites everyone.
It does not matter whose initiative someone is joining. Now is not the time to debate this.
I envision this process not merely as political consolidation around a single goal, but as a daily, active, and very intensive campaign explaining to society what free and fair elections are and why this is not just a political slogan, but a real way out of the crisis.
As soon as people believe that free and fair elections are indeed the solution and that they can be achieved through joint struggle, everyone will focus on this goal. Our work must be so consistent and intensive that every Georgian citizen expresses this position in a form convenient for them. So that to the question ‘How are you?’ they answer ‘Free elections.’ To the question ‘How’s the weather?’—also ‘Free elections.’ Banners with this slogan should be hung everywhere. This must reach the entire country, including those who cannot regularly participate in protest actions.
Once we reach this stage, there should be a powerful climax—a massive rally on Rustaveli Avenue.
I believe that through such consolidation and disciplined, active, and intensive joint work, we can change the situation today. Therefore, I support Mr. Viktor Kipiani’s initiative. Of course, I do not make decisions unilaterally, so I am discussing this matter with my coalition colleagues. I believe that working consultations with the ‘Georgia First’ movement should take place in the near future to launch and refine this process,” Khoshtaria wrote.
As a reminder, Viktor Kipiani, leader of the “Georgia First” movement, believes that the ruling team will agree to free and fair elections only if the majority of society sides with the opposition. In light of this, he proposed that opposition forces unite around this demand.
