Tbilisi Mayor: "If some factions had regained control, Tbilisi would be a city of war"

On November 30, Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi, repeated the alarming tendency that any idea based on universal principles from the government or society usually collapses under swift bullying, insulting, and slandering.

According to the mayor, the "City of Peace" catchphrase for the approaching New Year has no political connotations. "Peace should unite every citizen and politician in our nation," he added. He emphasized that peace is vital for Georgia in light of ongoing regional issues. "I am certain that this is not what our culture expects. The worst rumor and provocation was when some politicians and media outlets claimed our slogan insulted Ukrainians," he added.

"Tbilisi would have been a city of war, not peace, if Georgia's political processes had been different over the past 1.5 years and a particular group had regained power," Kaladze emphasized.

Irakli Kobakhidze: "Those planning a second front opening in Georgia brought Saakashvili in"

On the same day, when questioned about the claim made by MEP Anna Fotyga that Bidzina Ivanishvili is an oligarch who should be sanctioned, Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, claimed that individuals making such a claim are the war party's [United National Movement] agents.

The GD Chair thinks the President has the right to pardon Saakashvili, but society should analyze the option in favor of chaos. "The president should not do it, I hope," he added. He said, "Those calling for Saakashvili's release, both inside and outside the nation, are motivated by an urge to wreak havoc on the nation. Those who desired a second front opening in our nation sent Saakashvili to Georgia." 

"Before his [Saakashvili's] arrival in Tbilisi, they arranged a background for him, for example, by holding some conference or event with the famous odious MEPs—Andrius Kubilius, Viola von Cramon, and many more. The global war party is a specific group longing for unrest in Georgia, the government shift, and the second front; they brought Mikheil Saakashvili to Georgia. Of course, now these people feel responsible and ask for Saakashvili’s release. One thing is the responsibility, and another is the interest in triggering unrest in the country," Kobakhidze asserted.

In response to calls for Saakashvili’s transfer abroad, Kobakhidze stated: "The transfer is a kind of release. No one can make such a political decision." He added that these issues cannot be the subject of political discussion. "The state agencies should handle inmate-related issues, and the decision should not be political," he concluded.