MEP Viola von Cramon on Thursday responded to recent comments by Kakha Kaladze, the secretary general of the ruling Georgian Dream party, that the domestic opposition was “expected” to nominate MEP Viola von Cramon as its candidate in local elections. 

Kaladze’s remarks followed the MEP’s critical comments to the Georgian Dream authorities on a number of topics, including the imprisonment of former president Mikheil Saakashvili and recent mass protests against the foreign agents bill. 

“You inspired me to run as a green candidate for the next Georgian elections. Let’s work on that”, the MEP tweeted, adding that it was a joke. 

Kaladze and other officials in the current Georgian government frequently criticize the MEP for her comments, claiming she is affiliated with the “radical” United National Movement opposition party,  in office between 2004-2012.