"On April 29, Ivanishvili addressed us with a speech that was akin to a declaration of war: he declared war on his own people, on the youth of the country, and on the nation's patriots within, as well as on our loyal partners abroad. He accused everyone individually and collectively of treachery. At that moment, we stood unconditionally at a crossroads for our future, faced with vital choices: either a European, democratic, free, and truly dignified future, or a return to the past, plunging into the depths of Russia, which is revealing its cruel and merciless face day by day,” - the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, made this assessment regarding the rally held four months ago by Georgian Dream in support of the Russian Law. At that time, the authorities brought people employed in budgetary organizations from various regions of Georgia to Tbilisi, where Ivanishvili delivered anti-Western messages at the rally.
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"There is a choice, truly, between Russian ruthlessness and Georgian age-old tolerance. Every day, Georgia exemplifies this tolerance, even towards Russian tourists and the thousands of others who have entered the country by different means. The choice is between revanchism and ruthlessness or judicially protected human rights.
During the election campaign launched from Mtskheta, in the event of a victory, they promised their own people revenge, harassment, persecution of those with differing opinions, restriction of free protest, and the banning of political opponents.
In short, he promised us a one-party, one-person dictatorship. They painted a picture of a future Georgia where a small group of people would have all the rights, and the rest would be left with only one - the right to leave the country!
The choice will be between the slavery of Russia and cooperation with Europe, between submitting to worthless compromises with Russia, effectively selling one's soul, or presenting ourselves to Europe as an equal nation, where we will bring our name, history, talent, and capabilities and properly represent Georgia in a free and peaceful world.
This choice will not come a second time. It's up to us!
These elections will be held under rather difficult conditions: we are already hearing threats from all levels of government. They try to intimidate us with war, arrest, and violence, but this means nothing, because no government that goes against its people can win if everyone understands their responsibility. If society is fully mobilized, then votes, stability, and the future will be fully protected.
These elections will not be won by any single political party. It is clear that parties neither have the time nor the conditions to prepare, fund, and win freely. It's time to survive, create a new reality, and return to the path of Europe (while they are still waiting for us), and to create a free electoral environment. This must happen very quickly; in one year, we should change the 'clan situation' in the courts and restore competitiveness to the electoral environment. During this time, the government should focus on rebuilding trust and pursuing common projects with our partners and returning to the perspective of accession negotiations. This is the plan, the only real and workable plan, that we must achieve in one year to get Georgia back on track!
I believe that each of you understands the danger we are facing and that now is not the time for nihilism. Now is the time to act and participate in the elections. Losing hope is not characteristic of Georgia: this has never happened, not among the exiles in Fereydan; not during the emigration from Soviet occupation; not even after the August 1924 uprising and its defeat; not after the occupation of our territories. This tragedy is only 'a given' for the prime minister, but for us, it is intolerable!
Georgia has endured the hardest days, but hopelessness has never prevailed! On the contrary, when we ask what has brought this country to where it is today and how it has preserved its identity, it is this - our unwavering faith in the future - that is our secret. This is what makes me confident today: I believe that no one will be indifferent to such a choice, that no one will stay home, whether in the diaspora or here in the country.
October 26 is the election where you vote for yourself and your country. You are voting for the future of the country, a future that does not insult the past. No one can deceive the Georgian people, neither with pseudo pro-Europeanism nor with false patriotism.
The Georgian people will win on October 26, and they will make their voices heard," the president said.
Salome Zourabichvili issued a decree on the appointment of the 2024 parliamentary elections and scheduled the elections for October 26.
