Georgian PM: “radical” opposition discussing scenarios for “unrest”

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia and the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s election staff, on Wednesday claimed the “radical wing” of the domestic opposition was “actively discussing a scenario” to “artificially create unrest” in the country as it geared up for the parliamentary elections next month.

During a press briefing at the party’s office, Kobakhidze cited events that followed a December 2017 incident in Tbilisi where two minors were killed as an example of “turmoil” that he alleged the opposition wished to be repeated.

Our political team is taking special measures to ensure the safety of the party's Honorary Chair [Bidzina Ivanishvili], who remains the primary guarantor of peace in Georgia. For this reason, Mr. Ivanishvili does not travel by helicopter, and his safety at election meetings is reinforced by a glass barrier. This heightened security has been a particular point of concern for the radical opposition”, he claimed.

The top official stressed leaders of the “radical opposition” were also at risk of attacks, particularly the figures who could be “exploited” by the “collective United National Movement opposition and its patrons” in becoming targets, to “discredit the election process and the Government”. 

He warned that any attempt to “artificially incite disorder”, such as “staging a high-profile criminal act” or replicating the events following the 2017 Khorava Street incident, would be “met with severe consequences”. 

We warn everyone that any such attempt will be punished to the full extent of the law”, Kobakhidze pledged.

The PM also claimed the “radical opposition” had” no realistic chance” of winning the upcoming, October 26 general elections and was “already laying the groundwork to destabilise the situation afterward”.

They have omitted the phrase ‘if Georgian Dream wins the elections’ from their rhetoric, opting instead for the narrative ‘if Georgian Dream rigs the elections’. It is becoming increasingly evident that they plan to reject the election results, attack state institutions, and attempt to disrupt the country - a strategy they believe will lead to a change in government against the will of the people and advance their agenda of opening a second front [on the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict]”, he said.

“The radical opposition and their patrons should be reminded that Georgia’s state and law enforcement agencies are fully prepared and resourced to maintain order. No provocation will succeed, and any criminal actions will be dealt with severely”, the PM added.

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The official also urged the public to “remain vigilant” and “critically assess” any alleged “provocations, large or small, by the radical opposition”.

“A peaceful election environment is crucial for the country’s stability, and we must ensure that the radicals do not succeed in their disruptive aims”, he said, adding the public “should not give hope to the radicals that provocations can lead to any success”.