Levan Vasadze: Ivanishvili is no longer allowed to stay in politics
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, November 11
Levan Vasadze, a Russian-backed ultra-nationalistic businessman, said that he met with the chairman of the Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party, Bidzina Ivanishvili in April and talked about “things that I won’t discuss.” According to Vasadze, Ivanishvili failed the people of Georgia and “should no longer be the leader of the country.”
According to Vasadze, Ivanishvili is no longer allowed to stay in politics because he allowed the film ‘And Then We Danced’ to be shown in Georgian cinemas.
As Archil Talakvadze, the Chairman of the Parliament told reporters, he has no information about the meeting between Vasadze and Ivanishvili. According to him, it is absurd to say that there is some kind of deal between the government and any other power.
“Bidzina Ivanishvili was the prime minister of the country, now he is the chairman of the party and a public figure, if he met anyone, the information about it is public,” said Talakvadze.
Gia Volski, member of the ruling party says that even if Vasadze and Ivanishvili met, people should not think that they discussed something that would be against the country.
“This kind of meeting could have happened but talking about some conspiracy I think is wrong. I don’t think the meeting would be about something scandalous for society,” said Volski.
According to him, Ivanishvili is not characterized by making statements or conducting conversations that in any way are against the country.
One of the leaders of the European Georgia, Gigi Ugulava said that Ivanishvili needs such meetings to slowly establish “Russian narratives in Georgian politics.” According to Ugulava, Vasadze and Ivanishvili have the same views and they have always been partners. “What Vasadze does is a direct task of Putin’s Russia,” said Ugulava.
Vasadze also noted that he does not plan to become part of active politics and will not work with Ivanishvili. As he says, it is far from his “ethics to talk about the details of private talks.”
Political expert Gia Khukhashvili said that it is silly to say only facts and not talk about the details.
“You should only use such meetings if something serious was discussed. Talking with hints, using public space to send someone a message and then let the society discuss what you talked about is the insult of the people,” said Khukhashvili.
Vasadze made this statement after the film, ‘And Then We Danced’ premiered in Georgian cinemas. Many far-right groups were protesting the screenings of the film, which managed to be a huge success both in Georgia and other countries.
‘And Then We Danced’ has already won several awards, it was also selected as the Swedish entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.
