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October 14 Message

15 ოქტ 202115:49
3 წუთის საკითხავი
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If we call Saakashvili's rule an era of authoritarian modernization, during which the framework of the public administration, infrastructure, economy and integration into the western structures developed with the accelerated pace at the expense of leveling democratic institutions, through which Georgia became beacon of democracy for the West despite its setbacks; we can boldly call the period of Ivanishvili's rule authoritarian stagnation, which is accompanied by the weakening of state governance systems, the collapse and discreditation of democratic institutions, economic backwardness, mass poverty, catastrophic growth of public debt and migration disbalance, added by the sharp distancing with the West.

Today, Georgia is hardly a beacon of democracy anymore, having extinguished, and the signals coming from here no longer give the West a reason even for a little optimism.

After all this, it is not surprising that we no longer want authoritarian modernization - or "old Misha" - and even more opposed to authoritarian stagnation - or "permanent Bidzina".

It is also easy to guess that the best alternative to these two is the democratic modernization. However, this will only be possible if Ivanishvili's retrograde government changes, and no one, including Saakashvili, will be able to govern the country unilaterally in the future. Two things are necessary to achieve this goal: first, it is the fully proportional electoral system we already have, and the probability that the next government will be a coalition is very high. And second: avoiding a change of government through revolutionary methods.

This all requires national consent, based on mutual forgiveness and universal amnesty, which will renew the political process and where all political leaders, including Misha and Bidzina, will be able to participate freely within the framework of civilized competition and fair elections. In these circumstances, even in the current polarized situation, neither side can gain a full majority. They will definitely need coalition partners, meaning division of power and curtailing authoritarian tendencies.

The main impediment to this process today is the deep-seated and well-established illusionary belief in society, through which the parties are able to turn the desire into a reality. A clear example of this is yesterday's message box of Georgian Dream - that is, the verbal messages claiming that the National Movement seems to be in a state of decay, which has seemingly turned into belief to the leaders of the ruling party, though the reality is quite different: the United National Movement (UNM) got 33% of votes in the Oct. 2 elections, which is its best result since 2012.

On the other hand, there is a similar disbelief among the supporters of the UNM regarding the complete innocence, omnipotence and messianic role of Mikheil Saakashvili. In fact, even if Misha became the sole ruler of the country today, he would not be able to do what he did at the beginning of his presidency with almost 90% support from the population, unconditional and active backing from the West. Today's political landscape has shifted dramatically: half of Saakashvili's former supporters oppose him today, while attitudes towards him in the West are heterogeneous, to put it mildly. Being under the illusion of both sides of the society strengthens the political poles even further and leads the country to an even deeper crisis.

The only way to ease the situation is to get out of this hypnotic sleep, without which neither national consent, nor the act of great reconciliation can be achieved. The means of awakening should be a peaceful demonstration of power, that will bring these people, especially Georgian Dream supporters, back to reality.

This is why the Oct. 14 rally is so important, as it should play the role of visual effect that awakens people under the belief illusions and gives impetus to the beginning of a just, fair political process based on national consent.

Therefore, we should not look at the October 14 rally as just a rally for Misha's freedom, or even against political injustice, but as an act of demonstrating national consent by all the citizens who care about the fate and future of this country.

By the way, these messages clearly dominate the last addresses of the starving Saakashvili himself, and the mass rally is the best mechanism to ensure the political turning point for the second round of elections on Oct. 30.

Otherwise, we will all be involved in a confrontation that will result in either a revolution, or a deep authoritarian stagnation. This game will be fraught with very high risks for both players. The winner will turn into the dominant power again and all this will postpone peaceful development and democratic modernization of Georgia for a while.

 

Giorgi Targamadze: Formula TV host, Deputy CEO of Formula Media, former MP and the leader of Parliamentary Minority in 2008-2012.  


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