Ex-PM Gakharia party challenges ruling party to ‘real one-on-one’ debate

A member of the Gakharia party, Giorgi Sharashidze, has challenged the ruling party to participate in a “genuine debate,” dismissing the panel-style discussion offered by a media outlet as insufficient.

Sharashidze on Tuesday said the invitation is open to anyone, on any platform or television channel, but stressed that it must be a one-on-one format where “a large audience can hear the truth.”

He accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of monopolizing public discourse over the past five years, holding only “monologues” through its television networks while suppressing real debate. Sharashidze contrasted this with Gakharia party participation in past debates, citing an event where thousands of viewers watched the party leader confront issues directly.

“The truth is that if anyone has betrayed this country, it is the regime immersed in corruption, whose prime ministers and ministers have been revealed as corrupt, disloyal, or criminal. Theft from one’s own people is the only betrayal that exists. So before speaking of others’ betrayal, consider why your regime is anti-national, anti-European and corrupt,” Sharashidze said.

He reiterated the party’s challenge -  “If you have the courage for real debate, we invite you to a one-on-one discussion where the people of Georgia will hear the truth directly, not through your satellite parties or staged panels.”