Opposition accuses ruling party of cowardice for refusal to attend extraordinary session on Ukraine

Opposition politicians have accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of cowardice after the latter’s refused to participate in today’s extraordinary parliamentary session on Russia’s ongoing military invasion of Ukraine.

Khatia Dekanoidze, a leader of the United National Movement party, called today “the day of shame” for the parliament, but also in the history of the country.

When Russian subversive groups are attacking the defence forces in Kyiv at the moment, the Georgian Dream party has collected the signatures of the majority MPs in a completely shameful decision and decided not to hold a parliamentary session convened by the President today”, Dekanoidze said.

Republican Party leader Khatuna Samnidze also responded to the ruling party’s decision, calling the move “a nefarious mistake.” 

Speaking with journalists, independent MP Tamar Kordzaia also condemned the refusal of the GD to hold the session. “The whole world is watching how the capital of one of the largest states in Europe is being bombed by Vladimir Putin [while] the Georgian Parliament is not able to convene,” Kordzaia noted.

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Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili had signed off on the opposition’s appeal to hold the extraordinary session, calling on all sides to show unity in support of Ukraine. However GD MPs rejected a need to hold the session on Ukraine, alleging the opposition was trying to “stage a show” for own political interests.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said the session would not open as the quorum would be absent due to the ruling party’s refusal to participate. Papuashvili also claimed the opposition was trying to use the issue of the conflict in Ukraine for a domestic political agenda.

We heard yesterday from the initiators of the extraordinary sitting that it was their desire to establish unity in the parliament. At the same time, the Chairman of the United National Movement opposition party said Georgian Dream was [serving interests of the] Russian government and it would be defeated together with Putin,“ Papuashvii said.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also refused to attend the extraordinary sitting of the Parliament, claiming the goal of the opposition was to organise provocations.

I have my duties, and the parliament has its own. War is going on in Ukraine. We are watching the events there with concern and great attention. On the other hand, the politics and the useless noise that our opponents are making is irresponsible and harmful," Garinashvili said.

PM noted the main goal of the opposition is to organise provocations and repeat the tragedy that could not have been avoided in the August 2008 war, making references to the Russia-Georgia war 14 years ago.