Vice Parliament Speaker accuses opposition of forming ‘collective UNM’ under ‘external influence’

The first deputy speaker of Georgia’s parliament, Giorgi Volski, has accused opposition parties of acting according to an externally written script, claiming that groups and individuals who once opposed the United National Movement have now united under what he described as a “collective National Movement”.

Speaking for Imedi TV, Volski said recent opposition cooperation was not driven by shared principles but by outside instruction.

“People who were insulting each other with obscene language just yesterday have suddenly come together,” he said. As examples, Volski cited Aleko Elisashvili and Salome Samadashvili, noting that Elisashvili had previously labelled Mamuka Khazaradze a loan shark, yet later appeared in his political team. He also referred to Gubaz Sanikidze, who had publicly stated that even if everyone else forgave (former President) Mikheil Saakashvili, he would not, as well as members of the (Davit) Berdzenishvili family, whom he described as former opponents of the United National Movement.

“All of them have united. What do you call this? This is called the collective National Movement,” Volski said.

“For people who have so publicly crossed their own words and principles, this step contradicts reality unless there is instruction, unless there is a script written outside the country,” he added.

Volski concluded by accusing the opposition of acting against national interests, describing them as “a legion that has confronted the interests of Georgia”.