For Georgia MP admits boycott was a mistake in first Parliamentary speech

The For Georgia party has acknowledged that its year-long parliamentary boycott was a political mistake, as its representatives took part in a plenary session for the first time since the elections.

Speaking from the tribune on Tuesday, MP Giorgi Sharashidze said the party would use its parliamentary presence to address the Georgian public directly, stressing that the legislature “belongs to the people, not to any political party.”

Sharashidze noted that citizens had been waiting for diverse viewpoints in Parliament, but argued that only one political narrative had dominated the chamber until now - one he claimed was aimed at misleading the public rather than presenting the truth.

“Our political force consciously assumes responsibility for the mistakes we made over the past year, first of all regarding the parliamentary boycott,” he said. “We must admit - and we do admit - that this form of protest did not stop Georgian Dream’s damaging decisions, including rejecting Georgia’s European future, adopting anti-democratic and rights-violating laws, and using force against peaceful citizens.”

The MP also said the events of 4 October allowed the ruling Georgian Dream party to regain lost voters and overcome what he called a crisis of legitimacy.

For Georgia, founded by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, refused to take up its parliamentary mandates following the 2020 elections, citing concerns about electoral fairness. The party maintains that its decision at the time was driven by principle, but now argues that participation inside the legislature will allow them to more effectively oppose government policies.