“We believe that enough time has passed and enough events have occurred for emotions to subside and life to return to normal. Just as political parties and their supporters must return to the constitutional framework,” said Shalva Papuashvili, the chairman of Georgia’s illegitimate parliament, during a briefing in the parliament building.
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Papuashvili described the ongoing protests as a desperate attempt to overthrow the country, stating, “It has not worked and will not work.”
“The current protests lack substance. That is why we have not heard any speeches, why they have avoided debates, and why they have preferred noise over conversation. They are protesting something that does not exist. No one can identify or name a specific and tangible factor that the European Union is offering us, while the government refuses. We all know that the possibility of EU membership will only arise in 2030. Our plan is focused on this very date.
The opening of negotiations is in the hands of European structures. Georgia deserves the most and is the most ready to begin the process. They will open it for us, we will accept it, sign it, and implement it,” said Shalva Papuashvili.
He called on the protesters, including opposition parties, to return to the “state and constitutional field.”
“Instead of calling for strikes or drafting petitions, which will achieve nothing except for the self-lustration of the system, these groups of citizens should reveal who they supported in the elections and demand that their chosen parties take responsibility for the country’s future,” Papuashvili added.
Protests have been taking place on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi since November 28. The protest was sparked by the illegitimate Georgian government’s decision not to put the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028, and, in addition, Georgia will refuse any budget grants from the European Union.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has repeatedly dispersed the protests using water cannons, tear gas, and other special means. More than 300 protesters have been detained under criminal and administrative law. Most have been severely beaten by police forces.
In addition to arresting protesters, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has conducted a series of searches in opposition party offices and the apartments of activists, and has detained opposition leaders Aleksandre Elisashvili and Nika Gvaramia on various grounds.
