Georgian Parliament official predicts “perpetual fiasco” for opposition

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Saturday criticised the opposition's continued internal strife and strategic confusion, asserting that their series of defeats - especially in the 2024 parliamentary elections - had left a permanent mark on their credibility.

In his remarks, Matikashvili claimed that the opposition’s attempts to create distinctions amongst factions - such as between Lelo, former PM Giorgi Gakharia’s party, and the United National Movement (UNM) - were designed to deceive a small portion of voters by fabricating a centrist image.

“According to them and their patrons, this confrontation is meant to separate the different wings of these radical political movements and their supporters, creating the illusion for the very small number of people who back them that they will support Lelo or Gakharia’s party, not the National Movement, but some kind of centrist force. This is laughable. As they repeatedly faced defeat and fiasco, first within the National Movement and later in the 2024 elections, this fiasco will follow them forever”, Matikashvili said.