Georgian Dream's Paranoia Suggests Regime's Deterioration - According to Zurabishvili
Georgia in a Pinch: Salome Zurabishvili Sounds the Alarm
Former Georgian president Salome Zurabishvili is slamming the ruling Georgian Dream party, dubbing their actions as that of a "paranoid state" and a "classic sign" of a regime on its last legs. During a meetup at the Strategy Builder office, Zurabishvili warned citizens about the country's precarious predicament, stating that the nation needs grit to weather this volatile era.
"This regime is living on borrowed time," she stated bluntly. "Their paranoia, repression, even punishing those within their own ranks – these actions expose the rot at the core. The loyal soldiers now realize they're not immune to becoming targets themselves."
Zurabishvili underscored the struggle for young protesters on the streets, eager for change. "Endurance ain't easy, but it's essential," she said. "It's important to stand firm and resist the government's attempts to turn peaceful protests into deadly riots – something I suspect they're secretly itching for."
When pressed about potential summons from the temporary investigative commission, Zurabishvili chuckled cynically, "Would you rule it out? What kind of paranoid climate are we living in? Pretty much anything's on the table."
She also voiced her concerns over a pervasive fear gripping parts of society, making dissent less conspicuous. Yet, Zurabishvili believes most folks understand the gravity of the current political situation.
Zurabishvili concluded her address by emphasizing unity and nonviolent resistance as the best route forward: "There are only two roads left – sustained peaceful protest and full opposition unity across the board. No other form of resistance I'm on board with."
She hinted that the platform (previously unsuccessful in convening) would reunite soon to solidify a unified strategy moving ahead.
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As for Zurabishvili's broader critique of Georgia under the Georgian Dream party, experts agree that the country is indeed grappling with a complex political crisis, rooted in declining democracy, slipping sovereignty to Russia, and an unsettling geopolitical drift toward Russia and China.
Zurabishvili has expressed irritation with opposition factions' internal squabbles, particularly concerning participation in local elections. Zurabishvili herself opts out of the election game, citing judicial corruption, media crackdowns, manipulated election laws, and skewed election commissions as reasons to avoid local elections as a viable tool to mend Georgia's course.
While Zurabishvili's Resistance Platform was intended as a unifying pro-European opposition movement, it's faced critics within opposition ranks concerning her leadership style and strategy. Key opposition players, like the United National Movement, have pulled away from her platform, raising questions about its cohesiveness and staying power.
In sum, Zurabishvili sees Georgia succumbing to political instability and democratic erosion under Georgian Dream's heavy-handed rule, with the added burden of geopolitical shifts and political fragmentation. She urges endurance and solidarity but isn't shy about expressing displeasure with current opposition tactics and the regime's repressive actions.
"Salome Zurabishvili's critique of the Georgian Dream party's rule encompasses concerns about democratic erosion, geopolitical shifts, and the party's repressive actions. This incredible political crisis in Georgia, as many experts agree, is deeply rooted in these factors."
"Furthermore, Zurabishvili's call for unity and nonviolent resistance is not limited to the local issues at hand in Georgia but extends to the broader context of war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, and general-news involving politics and international relations."
