**Georgian Dream Parliament’s Commission Expands, Targets Opposition**
The Georgian Dream (GD) parliament’s temporary investigative commission has gained a new member, Irakli Kadagishvili. He replaces Paata Salia, who was appointed as the GD justice minister in April and had his seat on the commission suspended.
Kadagishvili is a seasoned politician with experience in the Georgian Parliament. Commission Chair Tea Tsulukiani praised him as a “very great asset” to the team, saying they will work together to achieve the GD’s goals.
The commission was initially tasked with investigating alleged crimes committed by former United National Movement (UNM) government officials from 2003-2012. However, its mandate has been expanded to cover events up to the present. The GD plans to use the final report to ban what it calls the “collective UNM,” which includes all major pro-European opposition parties.
**Targeting Opposition Leaders**
The commission has summoned several opposition figures, including Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of Lelo, Zurab Girchi Japaridze, Nika Gvaramia, and Nika Melia of the Coalition for Change, as well as Giorgi Vashadze of Unity-UNM. These leaders have refused to appear before the commission, considering it illegitimate.
Their refusal has resulted in court decisions to bail them out, with amounts ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 GEL each. The only opposition figure to comply was Giorgi Gakharia, a former GD Interior Minister and Prime Minister, who testified about issues during his time in the ruling party.
**Investigating Past Crimes**
The commission typically hears from people who testify about alleged business racketeering, torture, and other crimes they claim to have suffered under the previous government. It has also revived the issue of the August 2008 war, with apparent attempts to shift the blame for starting the war to the former Georgian government and President Mikheil Saakashvili.
The controversial hearings on the Russia-Georgia war were met with widespread public outcry, as army generals Zaza Gogava and Mamuka Kurashvili testified. The commission’s actions have been seen as a way to discredit the opposition and pave the way for the GD’s plans to ban them.
**Commentary**
This move by the Georgian Dream parliament is a clear attempt to further marginalize the opposition and solidify its grip on power. By expanding the mandate of the investigative commission, they are creating a pretext to target their political rivals and silence dissenting voices.
The fact that several opposition leaders have refused to cooperate with the commission is a testament to the legitimacy crisis that the GD is facing. The use of bail as punishment for those who refuse to comply is also a worrying sign, as it suggests that the ruling party is willing to use coercive measures to achieve its goals.
**Deeper Analysis**
This development highlights the deep-seated polarization in Georgian politics and the inability of the opposition to effectively challenge the GD’s dominance. The focus on past crimes and the attempt to shift blame for the 2008 war are clear attempts to divert attention from the GD’s own shortcomings and create a narrative that they are the true victims.
The international community, including the US Ambassador, has repeatedly expressed concerns about Georgia’s stunted institutions and the need for reforms. However, the GD’s actions suggest that it is more interested in consolidating power than engaging in genuine dialogue with its critics.
As the commission continues to target opposition leaders and investigate past crimes, it remains to be seen how this will affect the upcoming local elections and the overall political landscape of Georgia.
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