Opposition leader Lemonjava thanks protesters, says ‘we must be ready to fight’

Giga Lemonjava, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, thanked demonstrators for once again “disappointing Ivanishvili and Putin” during a protest rally on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi, urging supporters to remain prepared for a prolonged struggle.

Addressing the crowd, Lemonjava accused ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili of attempting to establish an autocratic system in Georgia - a form of governance, he said, where “there is no place for the individual” and where people are viewed merely as electoral units. According to him, Ivanishvili’s political project relies on instilling fear and obedience in citizens.

Lemonjava said the past year has demonstrated that plans to “Russify” the country have failed.

“One year later, we stand here on Rustaveli [Avenue] in large numbers and declare that there will be no Russia in this country. Georgia was, is and will remain an integral part of Europe,” he stated.

He highlighted that Georgia would “bring Europe back” through new, free and fair elections, restoring the individual as the core value of the state.

Concluding his speech, Lemonjava once again thanked those who joined the rally and stressed the need for perseverance.

“We must be ready to fight for as long as necessary to achieve victory. This protest gave birth to the slogan ‘To the end.’ We will fight to the end”, he said.