Parliament vice-speaker slams ex-PM Gakharia party for ‘withdrawing’ from planned debates

Georgia’s Parliament Vice-Speaker, Nino Tsilosani, on Tuesday accused representatives of former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party of “failing to participate in a media-organized debate,” saying they initially expressed willingness but later withdrew, citing what she described as an absurd reason.

Speaking at a plenary session, Tsilosani said the only plausible explanation for their refusal was the “influence of external patrons” who “benefit from polarization and societal division” in Georgia.

“The reasons they gave are clearly fabricated, which shows they always knew the format and participants of the debate, undermining any pseudo-arguments they tried to offer,” Tsilosani said. 

“The real reason for their withdrawal is the decision of their outside patrons, who understand that in a proper discussion or debate, the truth cannot be avoided. They continue to rely on uncertainty, radicalism and artificial polarization.”

She recalled previous incidents in which local opposition figures were reportedly prevented from engaging in debates or democratic processes by foreign patrons, including during discussions of the Transparency Law. According to Tsilosani, directives at that time explicitly “aimed to prevent participation that could benefit the ruling party.”

“The radical local opposition and their patrons know they would lose in an evidence-based discussion. Those giving them instructions will ensure their words are controlled, as has happened multiple times in the past,” Tsilosani said.