The political party “Gakharia for Georgia” has decided to take seats in the Georgian Parliament, ending its boycott of the 11th convocation, party leader Giorgi Sharashidze announced during a press briefing.

The party had initially declared a boycott following the parliamentary elections on October 26, 2024. However, Sharashidze acknowledged that “this form of political protest did not stop the ‘Georgian Dream’ machine nor prevent the de facto authorities from making destructive decisions, such as halting Georgia’s European integration process, passing anti-democratic and human rights laws, worsening the situation in the country, enforcing an autocratic regime, committing violence against civilians, rigging free and fair elections, and many other criminal, anti-people, and anti-state actions.”

Sharashidze emphasized that the boycott had turned into a boycott of the entire political process, pushing the opposition out of the political arena while allowing “Georgian Dream” to act unchecked and strengthen authoritarianism. This, he said, led to the events of October 4, when some protesters attempted to storm government buildings.

He added that a year ago, the party failed to convince the public and the political spectrum that stripping parliamentary mandates was a mistake, which subsequently led to the current “complex situation.”

Sharashidze stressed that the party would no longer remain trapped in past mistakes, illusions, or self-deception. The irresponsible and provocative actions on October 4 worsened the situation, seriously harming the already weakened opposition and giving “Georgian Dream” an opportunity to justify authoritarian consolidation among its supporters.

He cited the introduction of new anti-democratic laws restricting free speech, the detention of dozens of protesters, including journalists, and the so-called new education reform limiting European education access for the younger generation. Sharashidze also criticized the intensification of anti-European propaganda and direct attacks on the ambassadors of partner countries.

Commenting on the recall of Germany’s Ambassador Peter Fischer by the German Foreign Ministry for “consultations,” Sharashidze said “Georgian Dream” harms Georgia’s national and state interests. He added that the disappearance of the opposition from the political process has made people vulnerable to the regime, noting the increasing number of political prisoners.

“This is why our main goal is to fight for the survival of dissent. There is another truth in this country, and we must make it public. Therefore, we are bringing all political tools and platforms back to serve the people, because Georgia’s representative bodies — the City Council (Sakrebulo) at the municipal level and Parliament at the national level — do not belong to ‘Georgian Dream,’ they belong solely to the Georgian people,” Sharashidze said.

He concluded by stressing the need to return to rational, moderate, and consistent politics at all levels, stating that ignoring parliamentary and municipal platforms, especially in these challenging times, is not only wrong but a crime against the country and its people. Georgian citizens’ voices and diverse opinions must be heard in Parliament, and lies and incitement to hatred should be met with truth and reasoned, calm, and measured responses.