**Radical Opposition’s Boycott Backfires, Says Georgian Parliament Speaker**
In a statement released on social media, Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, has hit back at the radical opposition for declaring a boycott against the government. He claims that this boycott has damaged the opposition itself and led to a “political grave”.
Six months have passed since the parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024, and Papuashvili says that the Georgian Dream party has restored the public’s faith in victory. The Speaker argues that the party has shown its voters and the opposition electorate that it serves only Georgia and its national interests.
**A Lesson Learned: Referendum Campaign**
Papuashvili reminds everyone that the opposition called the last parliamentary elections a referendum, claiming that the country had to choose between Europe and Russia. However, he notes that this campaign was launched by Salome Zurabishvili in March 2024, with foreign and non-governmental organizations involved.
The Speaker argues that the government accepted this challenge and explained to the people what a referendum really is. He claims that the Georgian Dream campaign was based on sharing this vision, where people had to choose between the past and the future, peace and war, discredited politicians and responsible authorities, and so on.
**Foreign Influence and Polarization**
Papuashvili highlights that the 2024 elections were unprecedented in terms of foreign countries’ open involvement in the Georgian political process. Diplomatic missions took a clear side against the government, and some even threatened punitive consequences if their preferred outcome was not achieved.
This interference created a polarized environment, where citizens were forced to choose between two extreme positions instead of electing their preferred party in a calm and constructive manner. The Speaker argues that this artificial polarization required the government to take action and ensure fair conditions for the elections.
**The Real Goal: Winning Local Elections**
Papuashvili concludes by saying that the immediate goal is to win local elections. He also accuses the Georgian opposition of becoming a “blind tool” of foreign global interests, pursuing its own agenda at the expense of the country’s real needs and identity.
In summary, Papuashvili believes that the radical opposition’s boycott has backfired, harming themselves rather than the government. The Speaker emphasizes the importance of fair elections, transparency, and equal conditions for all participants, urging citizens to stay informed and make their voices heard.
