Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called on his foreign partners to reset their relationship with the Georgian people after the victory of the ruling party „Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia“ in the municipal elections on October 4.
„I want to remind everyone that „Georgian Dream“ will be in power for the next three years. After that, there will be elections. Therefore, I call on everyone to accept this reality. „Georgian Dream“ will take responsibility for the governance of this country and its development for many years to come. From a pragmatic point of view, it would probably be desirable for everyone to reset their relationship with the Georgian people and the Georgian authorities“, the head of government said at a press conference.
„Regarding yesterday's processes, the attempt to overthrow the government has failed again. Over the past four years, we have already seen five attempts to organize a “Maidan“ in our country. Over the past four years, the Nazis have already tried to overthrow the government and organize a “Maidan“ five times, the prime minister said at a briefing.
He expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, whose units “conducted a thorough special operation at the highest level, according to the highest standards“ to prevent the attempt to overthrow the government.
On October 4, an opposition rally was held on “Freedom“ Square in Tbilisi. One of its organizers, former Prosecutor General of Georgia Murtaz Zodelava, called from the stage to “seize the keys to the presidential palace“, after which some protesters headed for the nearby residence. The protesters tore down the fence but were repelled by riot police using water cannons and tear gas. 32 police officers were injured in the clashes.
Police arrested five of the protest organizers, including Zodelava, as well as opera singer and politician Paata Burchuladze, for calling for the overthrow of the government and organizing group violence. They face up to nine years in prison.