Opposition calls for “removing gov’t from power ”as European Commission not recommends candidate status

The only way towards Georgia’s European integration is to remove the Georgian Dream authorities from power. Join the rally on June 20, a member of Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition Paata Manjgaladze said in his comment following the recommendation of the European Commission on Friday to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, while Georgia needed to meet certain criteria first. 

“It is unfortunate that the Georgian government has not been able to do what the Moldovan government has done in a few months. This is very regrettable as Georgia was the frontrunner. However, due to the government’s actions the country is now a laggard,” Manjgaladze said on Friday. 

He said that the Georgian Dream authorities were unlikely to meet the criteria, “as the only thing the government is focused on is Ivanishvili [Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling party] and his money.” 

The recent European Parliament resolution called for sanctions on billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili for his “destructive role” in Georgian politics and connections “with the Kremlin.”