Ruling party head alleges “same goals” between domestic NGOs, “radical opposition”

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday claimed domestic non-governmental organisations and the “radical opposition" shared the “same goals” in the domestic political scene, and claimed the groups were “clearly annoyed” with Robin Dunnigan, the new Ambassador of the United States to the country, displaying a “different attitude” towards Georgian-US relations.

Kobakhidze said Zurab Girchi Japaridze, the Girchi - More Freedom opposition party leader, and Elene Khoshtaria, the leader of the Droa opposition party, “did not applaud” the new Ambassador following her address during a reception held in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi on behalf of the diplomat a week ago.

The GD party head also claimed “any effort, including those of the US Ambassador, aimed at deepening the Georgian-US relations annoys a part of the domestic opposition and NGOs”, adding the groups “do not like” the current “positive dynamics” in the ties.