Opposition leader urges focus on concrete actions amid ‘internal divisions’

Giorgi Baramidze, political secretary of Unity - National Movement, on Tuesday called for greater scrutiny of concrete actions taken by political groups claiming to oppose the government, amid growing concerns over divisions within the opposition ahead of municipal elections in Autumn.

Speaking to the press, Baramidze said that formal affiliations and communications between parties were of less importance than the role the groups played in “either challenging or, knowingly or unknowingly, legitimizing the ruling regime.”

“It is important for us to see the concrete actions of this or that opposition party, or those who call themselves opposition parties,” Baramidze said. “The public is the best judge, and they see who is truly opposing the regime and who is contributing to its legitimacy - even in a minor way.”

Baramidze warned that attempts to sow discord among opposition ranks were still visible and would not go unnoticed by the Georgian public. “Those who support the regime and try to create division in the opposition are clearly seen today, and will be seen in the future,” he said.

He concluded with a warning against attempts to distort public perception, saying “just as one cannot whitewash a crow, attempts to whitewash this regime - or to discredit genuine opposition - will not succeed.”