Beka Liluashvili, an MP from the Gakharia for Georgia opposition party, on Thursday criticized both former President Mikheil Saakashvili and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chair and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, accusing them of being liars in Georgian politics.
Liluashvili’s comment came in response to the latest statement by the US Embassy in Georgia, which refuted claims that Saakashvili was a focus of a recent visit by US officials.
“Saakashvili is as much a liar as Ivanishvili. They sustain each other’s political relevance through their lies,” Liluashvili said. He argued that if it were not for the ruling Georgian Dream party’s efforts to portray Saakashvili as a political threat, the former president would have lost significance in Georgia.
Liluashvili also criticized Saakashvili’s recent statements, suggesting that the former president had falsely claimed that the international community was focused on his situation. “He made a very bold lie, which was exposed the very next day,” Liluashvili noted.
Liluashvili also addressed the creation of a new political party by Giga Bokeria and Tamar Chergoleishvili, former leaders of European Georgia. The party’s launch is scheduled for Thursday.
He claimed the new party was unlikely to succeed and should instead align with the United National Movement opposition. “Why don’t they just join the UNM, which is already in free fall? They might bring a marginal increase in votes, but it would not be significant,” he said.
The US Embassy in Georgia issued a statement clarifying that during the recent visit by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Michael Turner, Saakashvili was not a topic of discussion.
