Thread by @ThisIsAndro

Personal views on GD v opposition stand-off.

4 months ago, when opposition decided to boycott the election results I feared we will make things worse by fighting for technicalities and purity of elections. Things are worse.

I tweeted this at the time

https://twitter.com/ThisIsAndro/status/1323200466747097088?s=20

How did we end up having Irakli Garibashvili, the angriest and spikiest of GD options, a pretty strong conservative as Prime Minister (again!) and Nika Melia leader of largest opposition party?

Nika. Melia. Really?

I got to give it to him. And to the opposition in general.

They made a calculation on Georgia still being a banana republic and Georgian Dream capable of an unsolicited self-destruction and damaging stubbornness.

Melia has essentially brought down PM Gakharia, he was also center of the provocation against PM Kvirikashvili, which led to him losing his cool and swearing at him.

He has also brought down his own party leader Vashadze and despite not being top of the list for Saakashvili managed to become party leader. That’s quite impressive.

He seems to have all the “qualities” that are still in demand for opposition politician in Georgia. Ability to shout, talk over people, speak in unison with somebody. Counter attack when challenged by a journalist once in a blue moon. Maintain highest level of hypocrisy.

Did I mention shouting? One can’t do that too often in Georgian politics. Tell me what are his real qualities, I’ll be glad to hear them.

(Nobody seems to argue Melia’s guilt here. That is beside the point. Like often is the case with persecutions against UNM figures. Public, largely, is not aware what exactly they are being persecuted for. Nothing like US Capitol's deconstruction of the events or anything.)

Georgian Dream of course should’ve not allowed Gavrilov in, let alone parl. Then should've dealt with the rally better and later shouldn't have persecuted Melia in order not to escalate. But if they really wanted to persecute, they should've been more decisive earlier

(In fact his leadership also made sense for UNM in order to create that extra level of protection and fuss around him. Another, announced trap for GD to walk in.

Nuance here

https://twitter.com/shotakincha/status/1362153304013299715?s=20

)

Had they acted before, he would’ve been pardoned by now. Along with Ugulava and Okruashvili probably. 3 crises ago.

Now though, Georgian Dream should NOT have stripped him of the immunity and refrained from pursuing the case given the ongoing political situation and boycott.

As expected opposition will gladly amplify the advice and the messages from the West, from diplomatic missions, from their allies which they have more. From the same very people they ignored when the message wasn’t one they liked. But look, they were right again on that.

The calculation worked. Remember?Banana republic, self destruction from GD. Allegedly,in one of the discussions at opposition gathering Lelo's Khazaradze when challenged by Citizen’s Elisashvili about a plan said: “It’s a war. Something will turn up”.Something did turn up alright

I’m really frustrated, disappointed. Not even sure what I want to happen anymore. Snap elections? That will prove bullies in opposition were right, but also may squeeze out the most constructive voices out of the battle. It will be largely a two party system focused on each other

And by the way I’m not so sure the outcome will be in favour of opposition here

also,what electoral system?

People may be discouraged to vote again. And then what are the guarantees this election count will satisfy everyone?

In Georgia, it’s the hope that kills you I think.

@UnrollHelper