**Opposition Parties Slam Alain Berset‘s Visit to Georgia**
Four opposition parties in Georgia have released a joint statement criticizing the visit of Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The statement was issued in response to Berset’s concluding press conference during his visit to Tbilisi.
The opposition parties claim that Berset’s messages did not help to ease the crisis in the country but instead made it worse and encouraged violence from the ruling party, Georgian Dream. They believe that Berset should have taken a stronger stance against the electoral fraud and authoritarianism in Georgia.
**Systemic Crisis in Georgia**
The statement highlights the severe political crisis in Georgia caused by the usurpation of power by Georgian Dream through electoral fraud, the collapse of democratic institutions, and the deliberate sabotage of the country’s European perspective. The opposition parties claim that the authorities have brutally suppressed peaceful protests, physically abused and illegally detained hundreds of citizens, and used criminal groups to intimidate people.
**Legislative Amendments**
The statement also criticizes the illegitimate Georgian parliament for hastily adopting legislative amendments that establish an authoritarian dictatorship in the country. They believe that these amendments further strengthen the legal mechanisms necessary for a repressive regime.
**Questions Over Berset’s Motives**
Despite Berset’s statement that his visit did not legitimize the elections, the opposition parties question his motives and claim that his messages were irresponsible and out of touch with the dire situation in Georgia. They believe that his visit was an attempt to legitimize the Georgian Dream government and its actions.
**Call for Action**
The four opposition parties call on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Committee of Ministers to raise the issue of Alain Berset’s integrity during his visit to Georgia and its compliance with the founding principles of the Council of Europe. They demand that the institutions take action to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Georgia.
Read More @ www.interpressnews.ge