Mamuka Areshidze: Georgian opposition focused on external audience

Irakli Shotadze's re-election is nothing more than a cause for holding the "corridor of shame" promised by the opposition two weeks ago, however, without much response. among the population, head of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Caucasus Mamuka Areshidze said, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza.

The opposition's strategy is that not just Shotadze's re-election, but any awkward government action gives them a reason to protest. Their plan - the reasons are not important, the main thing is to protest," he explained.

So far, they have failed to mobilize the population. "I saw there some 40-50 protesters in the morning, others were police and journalists. Moreover, it's not so important the opposition whether they are supported by the population or not, it is important for them to show a protest. That is, it's not about domestic audience, but the external one," the political scientist drew attention.

"Now we see an internal struggle between the parties, not a consolidation of positions before the elections. Perhaps they will be able to unite, but as soon as it comes to taking power, there will be no unity," Mamuka Areshidze emphasized.

"If Mikheil Saakashvili doesn’t return, we can talk about a certain coalition government. In the end, if there were elections today, the Georgian Dream would have won, despite all the opposition’s activity," the head of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Caucasus concluded.