Georgian mayor rejects calls for revolution, defends electoral victory

Kakha Kaladze, the Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, firmly stated that there will be no revolution in the country.

Speaking to reporters, Kaladze emphasized that while citizens are free to express their opinions in a peaceful manner, any attempts to incite violence or stage a coup would not be tolerated, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

“Any person can express their opinion in a calm atmosphere, but when violence is involved and there is an attempt to stage a revolution or a coup, it will not succeed, my friends,” Kaladze asserted.

The mayor's remarks come after the parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024, in which the Georgian Dream secured victory. Kaladze urged the opposition to accept the results, stressing that power should be changed through elections, not through unrest. He reminded the opposition that they were defeated by the Georgian people, with over 1.2 million voters supporting peace and rejecting fascism.

Kaladze further highlighted that all citizens, including opposition members, must respect Georgia’s laws. He warned that if these laws are violated, the relevant authorities will take necessary actions. His comments signal the government's determination to maintain stability and uphold the rule of law in the country.

Protests erupted across Georgia on November 28, 2024, with daily rallies taking place outside the parliament building in Tbilisi and in major cities such as Batumi. The first week of demonstrations was marked by heightened tensions, as some protesters in Tbilisi used pyrotechnics against law enforcement officers, prompting the authorities to respond with water cannons and tear gas. Clashes continued into the night, culminating in special forces pushing protesters off Rustaveli Avenue. However, in the weeks that followed, the protests became more peaceful.

The unrest was sparked by a statement from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, in which he revealed that the ruling party, Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia, had decided to halt negotiations on European Union (EU) accession and to forgo any EU budget grants until 2028.

According to Kobakhidze, the decision was driven by ongoing pressure from the EU, including blackmail over the start of accession talks, demands for the repeal of certain laws passed by Georgia’s parliament, and calls for sanctions against the Georgian authorities.

The government's stance on these issues has ignited widespread public discontent, leading to ongoing protests calling for change.

By Vafa Guliyeva