Georgian opposition “externally coordinated” to “hinder country's progress” - PM

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday accused the domestic opposition of being “externally coordinated” by forces “intent on stalling the country’s development”. 

Speaking to journalists in Abu Dhabi, the PM alleged the opposition's actions were “orchestrated from the outside from beginning to end by entities that do not want the country to progress and develop”.

They have not been able to achieve their goals for all these four years”, he claimed. “Any of their attempts to cause harm to the country are doomed to fail. This applies to both the opposition and their patrons outside the country. The Georgian public sees and judges everything”, the PM added. 

He further dismissed the opposition’s prospects of political success, emphasising the domestic public was “well aware of their history and intentions”. 

The public knows their past, present, and accordingly understands what even a minor success of the opposition might mean. Neither by unity nor by disintegration do they have resources for success. This is the reality they must face”, Kobakhidze said.

He also characterised the opposition as a “collective entity”, allegedly united under a “common patron”. 

The radical opposition is already united. They are one collective United National Movement [the former ruling Government between 2004-2012], but neither together nor separately do they have any chance of success”, he noted. 

Kobakhidze further accused the opposition of “self-sabotage”, claiming their post-election actions last year had weakened their position. 

The opposition actually has only one plan, and this is a self-liquidation plan”, he said. “The fewer radical parties and radicalism in the country, the faster our democratic system will develop. Accordingly, we can only welcome further weakening of the opposition”, the PM said. 

The Government head concluded by reiterating his confidence in Georgia’s “democratic future”, asserting that the opposition’s alleged coordination with outside forces would “not succeed in disrupting the country’s progress”.