Georgia’s ruling party official slams opposition’s Independence Day rally as “tragicomic”

Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Thursday criticised the opposition's plans to hold a rally on Georgia’s Independence Day, labeling the move “tragicomic”.

Speaking on the political talk show Imedi Live, Kirtskhalia dismissed the protest organisers as a “union of people without a homeland” and suggested the demonstration was being orchestrated by foreign interests.

“The union of rootless individuals is announcing a rally on Independence Day. What is this rally based on, who is organising it, and what kind of political background do these people have? All of this matters greatly, and the public is watching. They have likely received instructions from their patrons. They are also assessing what resources they have”, the official said.

Kirtskhalia further claimed that the reduction of financial inflows - amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars - had undermined what he described as “destructive and extremist activities” previously seen on Rustaveli Avenue and elsewhere.

The official further added that the opposition’s only remaining strategy is to escalate tensions and stage provocations.

“We saw how they were stripped of all foundations - foundations that were built on betrayal of the homeland, selling out the country, and a paid party apparatus”, he noted.

“Their only expectation is extremism. They will try to create tension and stage provocations, as they always have. They are politically nullified, have no political future, and have been fully exposed as agents. They have no other option but to rely on external forces to stage provocations here”, Kirtskhalia concluded.