Roman Gotsiridze, an MP of the United National Movement opposition party, on Tuesday slammed the country’s former president Giorgi Margvelashvili for his calls to the opposition to quit their mandates in protest and take to the street. 

The MP said that if Margvelashvili had left his post when he was “oppressed” by the current authorities, the opposition “would not have to leave parliament today”. 

Gotsiridze said that it was better for the opposition to get prepared for the elections with the resources they had, and noted that without the MP status it would be impossible for opposition representatives to hold foreign meetings with partners. 

“No one would accept a meeting in the US or in the EU if you have no status”, Gotsiridze said.