Offer to listen to Zelensky sparks disputes in Georgian Parliament

The Georgian opposition has offered to listen to the speech of the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, at a parliamentary session, but the ruling "Georgian Dream-Democratic Movement" Party refused to consider this offer. Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker, has motivated the refusal by asserting fact that the opposition wants to destabilize the situation in the country.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, had stated that Georgia would not join the West's financial and economic sanctions against Russia, imposed because of Russia's aggression on Ukraine. The oppositionists have blamed the country's rulers for their passivity and failure to provide help to Ukraine in its difficult time.

The "Lelo" oppositional parliamentary party has offered to listen to President Zelensky at the plenary session of the Parliament, but the ruling "Georgian Dream-Democratic Movement" Party has refused to consider the opposition's initiative. On March 18, the Speaker explained that the opposition is trying to launch hysteria in the country, destabilize the situation and involve Georgia in the operation in Ukraine.

Badri Djaparidze, one of the leaders of the "Lelo" Party, has treated the statements pronounced by the leaders of the "Georgian Dream" Party as "a clear manifestation of immorality," adding that the manifestation of freedom-loving attitude is alien to the ruling party, since Zelensky appeals to freedom-loving people.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 19, 2022 at 07:30 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.