The opposition coalition’s presidential candidate, Levan Gachechiladze, chucked two of the country’s most watched television channels out of a news briefing on Wednesday, accusing them of kowtowing to the government.

“There are TV channels in Georgia that are hiding the truth, and only doing Saakashvili’s PR,” Gachechiladze said at the offices of the RIA Novosti news agency, where he was holding a press conference with Russian journalists. “[The Georgian networks] will edit my statements so I look like a Saakashvili supporter. I feel like we live in a dictatorial regime.”

And with that, he demanded that Rustavi 2 and Mze journalists leave the press conference.

A spokesperson for Gachechiladze clarified that the candidate would only speak to Rustavi 2, Mze and the state-owned broadcaster if they aired his comments live and unedited.

“Gachechiladze isn’t setting up a boycott against these TV channels, but he will only make live appearances on them. He does not want to give them a chance to edit any of his interviews or statements,” the spokesperson said after stormy press conference.

In response, Rustavi 2 said it was opposition politicians—not the government—that is putting pressure on the television network.

“We want to remind everyone that we are journalists, and when preparing a segment we clarify both sides’ position,” a network presenter said later that day. “We are getting the impression that a portion of the opposition is trying to put pressure on us.”

At the briefing with Russian journalists, Gachechiladze reiterated his campaign promises thus far: conducting democratic parliamentary elections, and transforming the country in a parliamentary republic.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled for next year. Their exact date could depend on a non-binding referendum being held at the same time as the presidential election on January 5.

Touching on his foreign policy views, Gachechiladze spoke of patching up relations with Moscow, but added that he is personally in favor of leaving the CIS.

“Personally, I can see no reason for staying where there are antidemocratic processes,” he told Russian journalists.

Gachechiladze also confirmed his commitment to a peaceful resolution for the country’s separatist conflicts.

“The preconditions for solving the conflicts must be mutual trust and the unconditional return of refugees,” Gachechiladze stated.

Addressing questions about his campaign’s war chest, Gachechiladze, a former wine marketer, emphasized his business connections. He will have no trouble bringing in money, he said.

The opposition coalition is now readying itself for a rally on November 25 which they say will draw 30 000 people.

Also on Wednesday, other leaders of the nine-party opposition coalition met with US Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft, briefing him on what they say is political persecution and a media under pressure in Georgia.

“We said that Saakashvili is using dirty methods for his election campaign election campaign, and that we hope the ambassador will speak about these problems in America,” coalition representative and former state minister Goga Khaindrava said after the meeting.

Labor Party leader and presidential candidate Shalva Natelashvili also met with the US ambassador, reporting back that Tefft expressed his readiness to help Georgia hold democratic elections.

Natelashvili also claimed he was targeted for assassination by authorities, and thanked the ambassador for America’s role in halting the alleged plot.