Vashadze: attack on opposition leaders signals ruling party losing elections

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition party and a member of the Unity coalition, on Monday said the recent attack on an opposition leader was a “clear indication” that the ruling Georgian Dream party was losing the October 26 general elections.

“The cowardly act of sneaking behind the back shows that the GD is desperate and resorting to violence as they realize they are losing these elections. This violence will backfire on them. We must respond with unity, care for our homeland and our people, and ensure that on October 26, violence is left in the past,” Vashadze said.

His remarks followed an incident in which Nika Melia, a leader of the Coalition for Change, and the former chair of the United National Movement opposition, was attacked by a young man while opening an election office in Samtredia, in the country’s west. Melia was struck in the face during the attack.