UNM’s Tsitlidze: Georgian Dream’s policies aim to derail Georgia’s EU integration

The policies pursued by the ruling Georgian Dream party are directly linked to efforts to undermine Georgia’s European integration, Anna Tsitlidze of the United National Movement said on Wednesday.

Tsitlidze added the Government was tightening restrictions on citizens because the ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili “lacks legitimacy both inside and outside the country” and seeks to maintain control through pressure and repressive legislation.

“He will continue tightening all circles as long as he feels he has power, not only by stripping emigrants of voting rights or introducing additional amendments to the election code, but through every possible method,” Tsitlidze said.

“He will further pressure all citizens because he has an internal fear and knows he lacks legitimacy. That is why he tries to obtain it through restrictions, laws and repressions.”

Tsitlidze added that the policies of the “Russian occupation regime calling itself Georgian Dream” were designed to ensure that Georgia “loses its European future”.