Georgian PM: Opposition plans doomed to fail as they lack public support

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has claimed “radical opposition groups” had no chance of success in elections, parliament, street protests or the Constitutional Court, accusing them of acting against the country’s interests.

“These forces have no chance anywhere - neither in elections, nor in parliament, nor on the streets, nor in the Constitutional Court,” Kobakhidze told Georgian journalists in Armenia on Friday.

He claimed the opposition was in a state of uncertainty, repeatedly announcing new plans that ultimately failed because it lacked public support and was acting contrary to the law, the Constitution and the interests of the Georgian people and state.

“Under these circumstances, it is impossible to achieve any success,” Kobakhidze said, adding that opposition groups had long looked to their supporters abroad for help but had failed to receive the assistance they expected.

“They are desperate and, in such circumstances, make further announcements about new plans. We can see that all these plans are ultimately doomed to complete failure,” he said.

The PM separately accused opposition figures of betraying Georgia, referring to a statement by opposition politician Nika Gvaramia concerning the European Union’s decision to postpone a decision on sanctions until January.

“When you dream of your own country being punished, and not only dream of it but try to take concrete steps to make it happen, that is a very clear expression of betrayal,” the PM said.

He described the activities of the “radical opposition” as “unconstitutional and hostile” to the country, claiming they were aimed at changing Georgia’s constitutional order.

Kobakhidze noted such statements would strengthen the government’s case at the Constitutional Court as it seeks to ban the political parties concerned.

“These people cannot hide their hostile attitude towards the country, and this statement is yet another expression of that,” he said.