Parliamentary committee chair slams opposition for insults directed at ruling party MP

Maka Botchorishvili, Chairwoman of the European Integration Committee in the Georgian parliament, on Monday condemned the opposition’s behavior following an incident where Aleko Elisashvili, an opposition MP, assaulted Mamuka Mdinaradze, the ruling party’s executive secretary, during discussions on the foreign transparency bill. 

Botchorishvili expressed dismay at the opposition’s actions, questioning their disconnect from Georgian society and the level to which “their ratings must plummet before they realize it”.

Botchorishvili highlighted the “concerning trend of violence”, exemplified by the support Elisashvili received, and criticized the opposition for “failing to condemn such behavior”. She argued that the opposition’s interpretation of European values appeared distorted, citing instances of violence, suppression of free speech, and stigmatization.

Moreover, Botchorishvili challenged the opposition’s claim to align with European principles, questioning their direction and genuine acceptance into the European family. 

She emphasized that the opposition did not accurately represent Georgia or its people and urged them to acknowledge that their ideologies were incompatible with Georgian society, regardless of fluctuations in popularity.