Georgian Dream ‘will throw them out’ - UNM’s Dekanoidze on Gakharia party’s return to Parliament

Opposition figure Khatia Dekanoidze has criticised the decision by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s party to end its parliamentary boycott, calling the move “self-destructive” and predicting that the ruling Georgian Dream party would eventually expel them from the legislature.

Dekanoidze, deputy chair of the National Committee of the United National Movement (UNM), said that while Gakharia’s team’s decision was not unexpected, it undermined their previous stance that Parliament was illegitimate.

“If you claim Parliament is illegitimate, then you become illegitimate MPs once you enter it,” Dekanoidze told reporters. “It’s a devastating decision for them, because as soon as they go in, Georgian Dream will throw them out.”

She added that Gakharia’s group had shown signs of this direction earlier, first by taking part in local elections and now by returning to Parliament. According to her, the opposition’s main focus should now remain on delegitimising the government and pressing for international sanctions.

“Today we heard a very important statement from Kaja Kallas,” Dekanoidze said, referring to the Estonian Prime Minister’s recent remarks. “Sectoral sanctions are vital. Everyone serving this regime must understand that.”

Dekanoidze also expressed solidarity with those detained during anti-Government protests, calling them “the best part of Georgia’s society” and condemning what she described as “unprecedented repression” by the authorities.

Gakharia’s party, For Georgia, announced its decision earlier this week, saying that the boycott had failed to deliver results and that re-entering Parliament was necessary to pursue its political agenda.