Opposition’s condition ‘tragic’, Gakharia has fled to Europe – Georgian PM

Georgia’s Prime Minister has described the current state of the country’s political opposition as “tragic,” and accused former Prime Minister and For Georgia opposition leader, Giorgi Gakharia, of fleeing to Europe instead of remaining in the country to engage in political life.

In televised comments on Thursday, Irakli Kobakhidze criticised Gakharia, who served as head of government until 2021 before breaking with the ruling Georgian Dream party.

“The condition of the opposition is truly tragic. Gakharia, who once held the highest state positions, has now run away to Europe. He abandoned the fight and chose distance over responsibility,” said Kobakhidze.

He further claimed alleged blackmail from Europe had not helped the domestic opposition to regain influence.

“For four years, blackmail has been coming from the European bureaucracy, from the deep state - and nothing helps the radical opposition,” he said. “Society sees clearly what the goals of the European bureaucracy are, and also understands that the radical opposition acts against the state and national interests.”

Kobakhidze claimed that divisions among opposition groups have intensified to the point of “radical split,” with some parties opting to participate in the upcoming municipal elections while others plan to boycott. “This entire radical opposition is doomed to total defeat,” he declared.

Addressing the developments related to the controversial events of 20 June 2019 - when police used rubber bullets during anti-government protests when Gakharia served as the country’s Interior Minister - Kobakhidze said he welcomed the European Court of Human Rights’ call for further investigation.

“There are serious questions about why the then leadership of the ministry brought the matter to the use of rubber bullets,” he noted amid the claims by the opposition that the GD is targeting Gakharia. 

“This man [Gakharia] is sending us messages from abroad. It’s all frivolous,” Kobakhidze said. “What should Gakharia do in Brussels, except once again engage in sabotage? He might as well move to Amsterdam.”

The prime minister further said that the government would appeal to the Constitutional Court to consider declaring four opposition parties that gained seats in the state legislature following the 2024 parliamentary vote (Coalition for Change, Unity – National Movement, Strong Georgia, For Georgia) unconstitutional.

“All four parties are one political force - a collective United National Movement, " he said, describing them as a “foreign agency” acting against Georgia’s national interests. “Only the Constitutional Court has the authority to make such a decision,” he added.