Georgian Vice PM rejects claims about attempts of “cancelling” domestic opposition

Tea Tsulukiani, the Georgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Sport and Youth, on Thursday rejected claims about attempts of “cancelling” the domestic opposition, following the ruling Georgian Dream party’s announcement of its aim to initiate legal proceedings that would declare the United National Movement and all its satellite and successor parties as “unconstitutional” following the parliamentary elections in October.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Tsulukiani said the idea was about “specific individuals and parties” being “removed from the political scene”, and claimed UNM was “not allowing the state [...] to develop”. 

The official also highlighted the merits of the ruling party in obtaining visa-free travel with the European Union and the domestic opposition’s “efforts to undermine the process” back in 2016. 

When we were engaged [in talks for visa-free travel] in Brussels, we were confronted by the United National Movement party. They said [to bloc’s officials]: ‘Do not give this country visa-free travel while they [Georgian Dream] are in power’”, she alleged.

Tsulukiani also commented on the death of Ermile Gigiadze, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream party who passed away after being verbally abused by an opposition activist in the village of Geguti in western Georgia's Tskaltubo municipality on Thursday.

She said UNM’s spell in power had seen “evil happen” as “they cannot create good”.