Opposition leader Zurab Japaridze says politicians cannot mobilise enough people

Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, one of the leaders of the opposition Coalition for Change, on Tuesday said that people must see a clear path to victory and a visible group of like-minded individuals in order to take risks for political change.

Speaking about public involvement in political processes, Japaridze noted that it was not enough for politicians alone to speak out, as, according to him, politicians were unable to mobilise sufficient numbers of people.

“If a person sees such a path and such people, then they will be willing to risk a fine, and possibly even prison, and come out. But if I do not see a group of people and a clear path, then I will not take that risk”, he said.

“This is exactly where our problem lies. I mentioned persuasion because when I talk to a person, I try to convince them why this is important. But once you bring them out and show them that, compared to before, we are now, say, twice as many people, then they must also become involved in the process. The following week, that person should do the same - pick up the phone and call others. Public engagement is not only about coming out into the streets. People must be explained that we are not yet a democracy where the fate of the country is decided by ballots alone”, the opposition leader continued.

Japaridze added that, unfortunately, his generation, the generation before him, and the generation after him have failed to bring the country to that point, which is why everyone has additional responsibilities beyond elections.

“Besides participating in elections, the work now is a struggle - going out into the streets and persuading those around us to join. Leaving this solely to politicians - to talk and to mobilise people - does not work. We, as politicians, cannot mobilise enough people”, he concluded.