Prepared by Messenger Staff
Japaridze Says Georgian Dream Seeks to Destroy Opposition Through Constitutional Court Case
Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia-Lelo coalition, said the opposition would use all available legal avenues to challenge what he described as Georgian Dream's attempt to eliminate political opposition in the country.
Speaking after a hearing at the Constitutional Court, Japaridze said the opposition was expected to present its arguments the day after tomorrow and would respond to allegations made by a Georgian Dream representative.
"The day after tomorrow, it will likely be our turn to speak. We will utilize every legal avenue to once again expose the true objective of the Georgian Dream: to destroy the opposition in this country," he said.
Japaridze described the lawsuit as politically motivated and lacking a legal basis, arguing that the proceedings amounted to continued political persecution.
"The public is observing what we are dealing with here: a lawsuit that is entirely devoid of any legal basis. This is a direct continuation of political persecution, and that becomes increasingly evident with every statement made," he said.
He added that the content of the lawsuit was "demeaning to the court, to our country, and to each of us," and said he believed the proceedings would not benefit Georgian Dream.
Georgian Dream MP Criticizes EU's Euro38 Million Aid Package for Georgia
David Matikashvili, chair of Georgian Dream-led Parliament's Procedural Issues and Rules Committee, has criticized the European Union's allocation of Euro38 million in assistance to Georgia, accusing EU officials of disregarding the Georgian people's political choices.
"Dividing the country into society and the government is absolutely counterproductive to Georgia-EU relations. Who is this funding intended for if they are trampling on the choice of the Georgian people?" Matikashvili said.
He described the EU's approach as evidence of "malicious intent and immature politics," arguing that European officials were disconnected from Georgia's political reality and did not respect the views of a significant portion of the population.
The EU Delegation to Georgia said the Euro38 million package would support farmers, rural communities and small and medium-sized businesses, with particular attention to women-led enterprises. The funding will also support vocational training, people returning to Georgia and women and girls affected by gender-based violence.
