MP Matikashvili: ‘anyone who believes they can achieve their goals illegally will face legal response’

Radical opposition forces in Georgia lack the resources to come to power through democratic and lawful elections, Parliament’s Procedural Issues Committee Chair Davit Matikashvili said on Saturday.

He noted the opposition’s “weakness” pushed it to seek “unconstitutional means” to advance its interests, but the state would respond appropriately to anyone attempting to achieve goals through illegal actions.

“This weakness is constantly converted into their desire to bypass the Constitution and pursue their agenda through illegal means. Of course, this will not succeed, because the state will give an adequate legal response to anyone who thinks they can achieve their goals unlawfully,” Matikashvili stated.

Matikashvili further criticised opposition leaders Levan Khabeishvili and Paata Burchuladze, calling them politically ineffective and lacking public trust.

“If there is any force that can be described as ‘politically washed out,’ it is radicalism, which is gasping for breath in Georgia. After October 4 [local elections], it may even disappear altogether,” he added.