Parliament official: no one will be allowed to stage ‘Maidan’ in Georgia

Archil Gorduladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, on Thursday said Levan Khabeishvili, the Chair of the political council of the United National Movement, had been tasked with fomenting unrest in the country, however, he did not dare to voice this and talked about a “peaceful coup”.

Gorduladze’s response followed a social media message of Khabeishvili, who said that if a politician refused to participate in the elections organised by an illegitimate Government, then the second way was a peaceful coup, as there was no third way.

In his remarks, Gorduladze noted that the ruling Georgian Dream team and public was standing firm and would not allow anyone to cause unrest in the country or to organise a “Maidan”.

“What does ‘peaceful overthrow’ even mean? This phrase makes no sense to anyone. They don’t even have the courage to state clearly what assignments they’ve actually been given. The reality is that parts of the opposition, including both the old and new United National Movement, have been instructed to stir up tensions while trying to separate Lelo- and Gakharia-affiliated members from their ranks. What we are witnessing now is a masquerade”, Gorduladze said.

He added that these tactics resemble guidelines used by “the deep state” through its agents to attempt uprisings and so-called “velvet revolutions” in various countries, something Georgia has already experienced in the past.

“The most important thing is that everyone understands the state and its institutions stand firm. The Georgian Dream team, together with Georgian society, will not allow unrest or any attempt to stage a Maidan in our country. Any such attempts will be cut off at the root”, he concluded.