Why do you reject President Mikheïl Kavelishvili, who is to be inaugurated on Sunday?
“The OSCE report clearly demonstrates that the legislative elections of October 26 were not free or fair: these elections, like the European choice of the Georgian people, were stolen. We therefore do not recognize the legitimacy of the new parliament, any more than the legitimacy of the president elected by this parliament. »
“The only way out is new elections organized by a new administration”
What could be the constitutional way out?
“The only way out is new elections organized by a new administration, and the immediate release of all political prisoners. »
“Russia's immediate goal is to get rid of opposition parties, civil society organizations and free media”
How long can you resist?
“As long as it takes for the (ruling) Georgian Dream to back down and accept new elections. »
Controversial inauguration and expected mobilization
It is a political crisis that has lasted since the legislative elections in October. Georgia is preparing for the inauguration this Sunday as president of a loyalist of the ruling party whose nomination is contested by the head of theANDoutgoing state and the pro-Western opposition.
Although the president's prerogatives are limited in Georgia, the arrival to this post of Mikheïl Kavelashvili, a 53-year-old loyalist, known for his ultraconservative and anti-Western positions, should spark a new mobilization of supporters of membership in the EU.
Already on the eve of his inauguration, thousands of pro-European demonstrators gathered on Saturday in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, to protest against the government. The protesters notably demanded the release of those detained.
What is Russia's role, and objective?
“Russia's immediate goal is to get rid of opposition parties, civil society organizations and free media, and end street protests. In the longer term, Russia wants to control Georgia to gain leverage over Armenia, the entire South Caucasus and Central Asian countries. »
What do you expect from Europe?
“Above all, we need clear messages from European institutions, and more diplomatic language. Next, we want European leaders to end their good relations with the representatives of the Georgian Dream. We also need support for civil society and the media. Finally, targeted sanctions are needed against those responsible for democratic backsliding, rigged elections, anti-Western propaganda and the torture of hundreds of peaceful demonstrators. »
