Prepared by Messenger Staff
Zourabichvili Slams Kavelashvili's Pardon Proposal
The 5th President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili has sharply criticized the Georgian Dream party's offer to pardon jailed opposition leaders in exchange for their participation in upcoming local elections, comparing the move to Russian President Vladimir Putin's tactics.
Responding on social media to a proposal by Georgian Dream figurehead Mikheil Kavelashvili, who suggested issuing pardons to imprisoned politicians if they request it and agree to join the October 4 elections, Zourabichvili accused the government of mimicking Russian political coercion.
"Someone said: 'Acknowledge me, or else.' Then said again: 'Acknowledge me - and along with that, hand over everything you have - your dignity, reputation, and conscience - and I will set you free. into slavery!'" Zurabishvili wrote.
She drew a direct comparison to Putin's stance toward Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "This is the same logic Putin applies toward Zelenskyy: 'Surrender,' and at the same time, 'I will take Crimea from you forever, also Donetsk and Luhansk - and know this: I haven't changed my original military goal - your destruction!'"
Zourabichvili urged Georgian Dream to "step out of the Russian KGB-style scenarios" and try independent thinking. "It wouldn't hurt to step out of the Russian KGB-style scenarios a bit, think for yourselves, and take the Georgian character into account," she wrote. "You might even do something better for a change - but that requires the ability for free thinking and reasoning."
Opposition Criticizes Georgian Dream for Withholding Support from OSCE Resolution on Territorial Integrity
Paata Manjgaladze, a leader of the opposition party Strategy Aghmashenebeli, has sharply criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for refusing to support a resolution by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly that reaffirmed support for Georgia's territorial integrity.
The resolution, adopted at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, called on Syria to recognize the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) as integral parts of Georgia. It also emphasized the need for democracy and free elections within the country.
"This was yet another open and direct support for our country's territorial integrity, but Georgian Dream did not support it. Why? Because the same resolution stated that democracy and free elections are necessary in Georgia," Manjgaladze said.
He accused the ruling party of prioritizing power over national interest. "This is how they traded the homeland for power and once again betrayed Georgia. Georgian Dream's stance on the OSCE resolution shows what kind of patriots they are and how they actually understand patriotism."
Manjgaladze also criticized what he called "lame and primitive" government propaganda, noting the contradiction in celebrating international support while failing to back a resolution that directly affirms Georgia's sovereignty.
The government has not yet issued a detailed explanation for its decision to withhold support from the OSCE resolution.
