Mamuka Khazaradze: The protests won't stop because this is an existential question - whether or not we will be independent, part of the civilized globe, or if we will become Russia's backyard

**Georgia’s Leader Warns of Continued Protests**

Mamuka Khazaradze, a leader of the Strong Georgia party, says protests in the country will not stop until there are new elections and the release of political prisoners. He spoke to InterPressNews.

Khazaradze said that Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government has made mistakes that affect the country’s future. “He has halted our European integration,” Khazaradze explained, “and thwarted 35 years of Georgian people’s aspiration to be part of the civilized world.”

**Protests Will Continue**

Khazaradze said that the protests will continue because they are about a fundamental issue: whether Georgia will remain an independent country or become Russia‘s backyard. “No one will give up their freedom in this country,” he said.

Khazaradze blamed Ivanishvili for isolating Georgia from the rest of the world. He claimed that the government has lost its strategic partnership with the United States and stopped European integration. “The entire government is under sanctions, there is no country where they are welcomed,” Khazaradze said.

**Only Solution: New Elections**

Khazaradze stated that the only solution to these problems is new elections and the release of political prisoners. He assured that this will happen, even if it takes 80 or 100 days.