‘This is the swan song for Mikheil Saakashvili’s former party’ – Archil Sikharulidze

Speaking with Alpha News, Georgian political scientist and founder of the Sikha Foundation, Archil Sikharulidze commented on the opposition protests in Georgia’s capital over the weekend, the attempted assault on the presidential residence, and outlined the ensuing consequences.

“Europe needs some additional countries that would demonstrate their willingness to sacrifice, to follow the path of the European Union—which, to put it mildly, is currently in crisis. As for what actually happened, it was a fairly large protest for a certain section of the opposition, where it turned out that most had simply come to stand peacefully. 100 individuals with radical views attempted to break into the building. However, let’s be honest, it was immediately obvious they didn’t have the strength. There was a hope, perhaps, that they could seize the building, triggering a chain reaction similar to what happened in Ukraine: one building falls, then another, and suddenly people believe it’s all over and they can indulge in chaos. They received an immediate response, and exactly 30 minutes later they were already being held back. It was clear that this was the end. They themselves were already confused. So their instigators were simply arrested calmly, quietly, peacefully, without even the need for special forces,” Sikharulidze said.

According to the expert, the authorities responded firmly, and the opposition will no longer have the opportunity to cause unrest.