**Georgian Opposition Leader Slams Ruling Party‘s Election Tactics**
In a recent move that has sparked controversy, the ruling Georgian Dream party announced it would not file a constitutional lawsuit to ban opposition parties before the upcoming local self-government elections. However, this decision has been met with skepticism by Giorgi Baramidze, the Political Secretary of United National Movement – Unity.
According to Baramidze, the true intention behind Georgian Dream’s actions is to destroy the United National Movement and other opposition parties. He stated that this plan has been in motion for a long time and that they have not managed to succeed so far. “They haven’t been able to destroy us so far, and they won’t succeed,” Baramidze said.
Baramidze accused Georgian Dream of attempting to manipulate the electoral process through “Kadyrovization” and Belarusization – tactics he claimed would render elections meaningless. He emphasized that under these conditions, no normal political party would participate in elections. “We will not participate in elections under conditions of ‘Kadyrovization’ and Belarusization,” Baramidze reiterated.
**A History of Electoral Manipulation?**
For context, it’s worth noting that the ruling Georgian Dream party has faced criticism for its handling of past elections. In 2018, they accused the opposition of attempting to rig the parliamentary election, sparking widespread protests. This latest move has raised concerns among observers and opposition leaders alike.
In a statement earlier this month, Mamuka Mdinaradze, Executive Secretary of Georgian Dream, announced that the term of the parliamentary investigative commission would be extended by one month, effectively allowing the so-called “Collective UNM” to participate in the elections. However, he also hinted at plans to ban opposition parties through a constitutional lawsuit after securing an “artificial victory” in the local elections.
**A Rocky Road Ahead?**
The situation remains tense, with Baramidze vowing that his party would not back down despite Georgian Dream’s attempts to manipulate the electoral process. “We are ready for the Georgian people to give agent parties a proper response in this year’s local elections,” he said. The road ahead appears uncertain, but one thing is clear – the battle between Georgian Dream and the opposition is far from over.
Read More @ www.interpressnews.ge