Georgia’s opposition platform rejects parliament’s investigative commission on previous Gov’t

The Resistance Platform, a coalition of pro-European political parties in Georgia initiated by fifth President Salome Zourabichvili, on Wednesday reaffirmed its stance against participating in a parliamentary investigative commission probing alleged crimes under the previous United National Movement, including the Russia-Georgia 2008 war, calling it “illegitimate” and serving “Russian interests”.

At a briefing following the platform’s second coordination meeting, Zourabichvili said none of the political parties within the group would cooperate with the commission, which was established by the ruling Georgian Dream-led parliament earlier this year.

“The investigative commission, as created by an illegitimate parliament, is completely illegitimate and serves Russian interests,” Zourabichvili said.

She emphasized that the Resistance Platform remained open to all pro-European parties or newly formed political groups that aligned with its core priorities – the call for new elections, the release of “political prisoners” arrested during protests sparked by the Georgian Dream Government’s decision late last year to halt the country EU integration until 2028, and adherence to the Georgian Charter – an initiative also pushed forward by Zourabichvili last year on domestic reforms.

Zourabichvili claimed the investigative commission’s true purpose was to “sow fear” and target political leaders. She alleged that it was designed to intimidate opposition figures and spread the idea that “we will reach everyone and you are all targets”.

“This does not mean that anyone should succumb to this and spread fear,” she added.