Dialogue with Ivanishvili should be on equal terms, opposition leader Gvaramia

A leader of the Coalition for Change, Nika Gvaramia, has said that any political dialogue in Georgia should not be approached from a position of weakness, arguing that it should be initiated on equal terms.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Gvaramia said that discussions remain possible, but stressed that they should not be “begged for” from ruling party founder and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, but rather requested by him.

“I always see the space for dialogue,” Gvaramia said. “But it should not be that we are asking Ivanishvili for it - he should be asking us.”

He warned that political steps taken in the current environment must be handled carefully in the national interest, particularly given what he described as a difficult geopolitical context involving Russia.

“It is very dangerous to take any step from the perspective of national interests, especially when your opponent is essentially Russian, like the politicians of the opposing country, Russia, who could use your confusion or a rushed move against you,” he said.

Gvaramia also stressed that while he did not oppose dialogue in principle, negotiations must take place from a position of strength.

“If you speak to the Georgian Dream from a position of force, nothing will come of it. You must be in a position of strength and then speak,” he said.