Shalva Kereselidze: The photo taken in Dublin does not mean Kobakhidze is satisfied, no one would believe him because he is known as a liar, and the author of the lawsuit on banning parties is Lasha Natsvlishvili, who likely consulted with Russia

The fact that the European Political Community summit held in Dublin concluded with the taking of a traditional photo does not mean that Irakli Kobakhidze will return from there satisfied. What was Kobakhidze supposed to talk about and what was he supposed to prove to the leaders of European states at a time when the Georgian government is banning dissenting opinions and has filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court concerning the abolition of five political parties? – stated Shalva Kereselidze, Chairman of the parliamentary faction "For Georgia," on PalitraNews's program "Day's Newsroom," assessing the visit of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to Dublin, where he participated in the European Political Community summit.

According to him, no one would believe a word Irakli Kobakhidze says because he is known as a "liar."

"They have trampled all democratic legislation underfoot! Last week, they introduced new amendments in parliament according to which the government has finally tailored the electoral code to itself and thinks that the 2028 elections and others will be won.

How is he supposed to justify himself and convince the leaders of European states when dissenting opinions are persecuted in the country? No one would believe him because he is known as a liar and someone who does not keep his word, just like the entire government. After this, the fact that they took a traditional photo does not give us grounds for relief or satisfaction," Shalva Kereselidze stated.

According to him, dialogue with Brussels is always possible if there is a readiness to change approaches and attitudes.

"Dialogue with Brussels is always possible if there is a readiness to change approaches, attitudes, and the dictatorial laws that they have introduced and continue to introduce. If there is a readiness to change this, then it is possible to start a conversation and fix the situation, but if you refuse this and continue the existing course as you do now—when you do not make decisions without Russia—then you should not expect a good result. It would be good if the government comes to its senses, starts a dialogue based on Brussels's offers and demands, and changes its attitudes and approaches, as well as the laws by which it restricted democracy," Shalva Kereselidze stated.

According to the politician, the government only wants to guarantee its stay in power and continue living by corrupt and dictatorial principles.

"The Georgian government wants to remain in power itself, have guaranteed stay in power, enjoy the support of the European Union and the USA, while tailoring legislation and democratic institutions to suit itself, and continue living by corrupt and dictatorial principles.

If someone speaks up, they must be punished, and anyone with a dissenting opinion will be considered a traitor. Confirmation of this is the fact related to Metropolitan Iob; he spoke about the problems that exist in the country, and the entire propaganda machine was brought out to attack him. Relations with the civilized world cannot continue with such a regime," Shalva Kereselidze stated.

Regarding the ongoing court proceedings in the Constitutional Court concerning the banning of parties, according to Shalva Kereselidze, "Georgian Dream" has a grand goal to remain in power in the 2028 parliamentary elections and beyond, and for this, taking steps and fighting by acceptable or unacceptable means is necessary for them.

"Georgian Dream has calculated the numbers, and these numbers show that it has lost trust in society, even among its own voters, and in the case of normal elections, not a theoretical chance remains for it to stay in power.

Therefore, it is necessary to start political revenge against politicians—for example, against Gakharia—and to abolish every political party carrying a dissenting opinion. It wants to run in the elections only with itself and its controlled satellite parties. So that it has an electoral code tailored to itself that will be a guarantee of staying in power. It will award satellite parties as many percentages as it wants.

They declare that the opposition is neutralized, and at the same time, they do not want to see any party as a competitor for the parliamentary elections! If you consider them neutralized and are not afraid, then why are you worried and afraid that they will be represented as competitors in 2028?

The Constitutional Court will make the decision to ban the parties because this is an order, but this decision will cost 'Georgian Dream' very dearly. As for our party, of course, we have a plan. No matter how much you suppress opposition parties and dissenting opinions, they will not disappear, but the government will lose trust and support. They will have to pay a heavy political price. This decision will negatively affect 'Dream.'

The author of the lawsuit is Lasha Natsvlishvili, but I am sure that consultations, recommendations, and advice would have also been held and received with the relevant representatives of the Russian Federation," Shalva Kereselidze stated.

As for other issues, Shalva Kereselidze also responded to the critical positions of Metropolitans Iob and Ilarion toward "Georgian Dream." According to the politician, "when the government would stand in churches with candles in hand, it was obvious on their faces that they were standing there by force and had no faith, it was apparent that they were behaving hypocritically, and now they have moved on to an open confrontation."

"Georgian Dream has never been a defender of the Church; it secretly fought against the Church because it saw that the Church was strong, possessed great authority and weight stemming from His Holiness and the Synod. This was unacceptable to them; they couldn't say it out loud, but covert struggles were always ongoing. The rest was a farce—as if they adopted a law on protecting family values. When the government would stand in churches with candles in hand, it was obvious on their faces that they were standing there by force and had no faith. It was apparent that they were behaving hypocritically, and now they have moved on to open confrontation. When Metropolitan Iob came out and said that there are demographic problems and so on, they didn't like this truth and the entire propaganda machine attacked him.

With insults, it was proven that 'Dream' has never had any respect, trust, or support toward the Church. It is also a farce that they supposedly defend the Church, faith, and family values; in reality, they were hiding behind the Church to preserve their own name and image," Shalva Kereselidze stated.