Opposition leader claims ruling authorities “collapsing from within” after Interior Minister’s resignation

Paata Manjgaladze, a leading figure in Georgia’s opposition movement Unity – National Movement, on Wednesday claimed the “ruling regime is facing internal collapse” following the resignation of Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri earlier during the day.

In his press comments, Manjgaladze said the departure of one of the country ’s most powerful security officials had signaled a “critical fracture” in the government “led by Bidzina Ivanishvili” - the founder and honorary chair of the GD.

“When Ivanishvili’s most loyal, informed and influential figures leave the system, there are only two explanations,” Manjgaladze wrote. “Either they are abandoning a sinking ship to protect their own futures, or the regime itself realizes the existing status quo cannot hold and is buying time.”

The opposition leader framed Gomelauri’s resignation as part of a broader pattern seen in other countries where entrenched regimes began to crumble following defections from the security apparatus. He cited the examples of Serbia in 2000, Georgia’s Rose Revolution in 2003, and Tunisia in 2011.

“The crisis is real. The regime is in trouble and beginning to collapse from within,” he warned, urging Georgians to seize the moment as a turning point.

The government announced that Gela Geladze will replace Gomelauri as Minister of Internal Affairs.