Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has issued a public appeal to civil servants, urging them to focus on the future after the upcoming October 26 elections. Saakashvili, currently imprisoned, assures public workers that their jobs and salaries will be safeguarded under a new government.
Saakashvili, addressing civil servants through "United National Movement" spokesperson Levan Sanikidze, encouraged them not to fear retribution if the opposition wins, contradicting the ruling party's warnings of job losses and repression. He emphasized that there would be no targeted layoffs and that civil servants, including police officers, ministry workers, teachers, and local government staff, would see significant salary increases and enhanced job prestige.
"I address you as a creator of state institutions and a supporter of Georgian civil servants. Ivanishvili, who destroys the state, scares you that if the opposition comes, you will be threatened with repressions and losing your job. The oligarch, as always, lies," Saakashvili stated. He reassured that under a new government, civil servants’ roles would improve and called for them to resist orders aimed at election fraud or violence: "The only condition would be that you don't go against your people, don't follow orders designed to steal elections, and in the case of the police, don't spill blood, don't follow violent, illegal orders."
Levan Sanikidze, the election spokesperson for "United National Movement," presented Saakashvili's address and highlighted the increased pressure on public officials in the lead-up to the elections, citing widespread use of administrative resources, intimidation, and bribery. Sanikidze also emphasized the party’s role in creating and strengthening the civil service post-2003 "Rose Revolution" and accused the current government of attempting to dismantle these institutions.
