UNM’s Pavlenishvili says restoring US ties ‘impossible’ under current Gov’t

Irakli Pavlenishvili, deputy secretary-general of the opposition United National Movement, has said that restoring strategic relations with the United States is “impossible” under the Government of ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Pavlenishvili said the Government is “incompatible” not only with the Georgian public but also with pro-Western countries worldwide.

“We should focus on how to restore strategic relations with the United States. We know it is impossible to do this under Ivanishvili’s regime, which is incompatible not only with the people of Georgia but also with the world’s pro-Western nations,” he said.

He added that domestic and international pressure on the Government is increasing and called for continued resistance. Pavlenishvili stressed the importance of ongoing sanctions efforts and criticised attempts by the ruling party to consolidate authoritarian power in Georgia.

“The regime cannot fully institutionalise the authoritarianism it seeks. They introduce new legislative measures to eliminate ‘islands of freedom’ and ultimately undermine democracy in the country,” he said.