**Georgian Politician Teona Akubardia Criticizes Ruling Party‘s Actions**
In a recent interview, Teona Akubardia, a leader of the “For Georgia” party, criticized the actions of the ruling Georgian Dream party. She accused them of trying to shift the blame onto the Council of Europe and of using propaganda methods to do so.
According to Akubardia, the phrase “I am Georgian, therefore I am European” was a message of civilizational choice that has been concluded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the Georgian Dream party. She also stated that Ivanishvili’s regime will no longer have representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
Akubardia also evaluated the statements made by representatives of the ruling party regarding a grant competition announced by the United Kingdom in connection with local government elections planned for October 2025. She pointed out that the Georgian Dream fears British sanctions more than American ones, which is why there is hysteria and low-quality disinformation campaigns against the UK.
“This is not related to the issue of grants,” Akubardia said. “It is connected to Ivanishvili’s regime’s fear of British sanctions, which began with judges. The UK, like the USA, was a strategic partner. It played the most significant role in the country’s territorial integrity and peaceful conflict resolution.”
**Personnel Changes Indicate Repression**
Akubardia also discussed recent personnel changes, particularly the appointment of Sulkhan Tamazashvili as the head of the Adjara government, who is on the list of those sanctioned by the West. She pointed out that police officers are holding high positions in the regions, indicating repression.
“The fact that police chiefs who have been involved in inhumane treatment of citizens, including those who are sanctioned, are now filling positions in the regions aimed at maintaining power,” Akubardia said. “No one has explained the case of Rizhvadze, what was the reason for his replacement.”
**Restrictions on Observers Indicate Manipulation**
Regarding the decision made by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to impose restrictions on individuals allowed to stay in polling stations on election day, Akubardia’s assessment is that this indicates “they intend to hold the elections through manipulation, which is far from democratic principles.”
“Why should an observer not be allowed to verify someone’s identity?” Akubardia asked. “This means they intend to hold the elections through manipulation, which is far from democratic principles.”
**Conclusion**
In conclusion, Teona Akubardia criticized the actions of the ruling Georgian Dream party, accusing them of trying to shift the blame onto the Council of Europe and using propaganda methods to do so. She also pointed out that the party’s fear of British sanctions is a major concern, as well as the personnel changes that indicate repression. Finally, she stated that the restrictions on observers indicate manipulation and a lack of democratic principles in the election process.
As Akubardia noted, “Authoritarianism didn’t even fully form in Russia within a year. They intend to speed up all this.”