The opposition parties that the ruling Georgian Dream party seeks to ban by law have discredited themselves—in reality, they represent foreign agents. This was how the country’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, commented on the start of the Constitutional Court’s consideration of the lawsuit.
According to Kobakhidze, these parties have no support whatsoever; consequently, all necessary steps must be taken to revitalize the political spectrum and the democratic system in Georgia. The process initiated in the Constitutional Court is an important step in this direction, the Prime Minister stated. He added that soon “it will become clear to the public that these political parties must be banned.”
“In reality, you see that these political parties have no resources anywhere, and at such a time someone could theoretically ask: if this entire group of parties is so weak, why ban them? There is a simple explanation for this. Subjectively, it might even be advantageous for us to have such a discredited and nullified opposition, but it harms our democratic and political system. Our political system does not need this kind of opposition; it needs a healthy, robust one that speaks to the people. This is precisely the purpose served by the proceedings launched in the Constitutional Court.
I have followed the speeches, including those of representatives of these forces, and it is simply comical how they confirm with their own mouths why they should be banned by making statements targeting the Constitutional Court, courts of general jurisdiction, and so on. Out of their own mouths, they provide the evidence supporting their ban.
These parties have no ratings left either; nothing remains, and they brought themselves to this state. When you do not speak to your people and instead constantly communicate with external forces, with your foreign patrons, you lose the trust of society—including that segment that previously trusted you,” Kobakhidze stated.
