In Georgia, the second week of continuing protests. There are opinions, that this led by the opposition and personally Mikheil Saakashvili. Someone sees in the ongoing "hand of Moscow". But the majority of Georgians believe: it is the public reaction to the accumulated problems. RIA Novosti has communicated with the organizers and leaders of the street protests.
Self-organization protest
Hundreds of white balloons with inscriptions in English about the "Russian occupation", the same T-shirts, stage with good sound, microphones - Georgian protest has all the necessary attributes. How to tell the informal leaders of the demonstrators, financially it helps small and medium businesses. Not the oligarchs - those, According to activists, too closely associated with the government. But the names of sponsors and the more the amount of aid no one advertises. And this gives rise to even more rumors about some Western support. They believe such assumptions and some Georgians.
One of the interlocutors RIA Novosti (editorial does not mention his name, because he wanted to edit his words after the interview) claims, that youth, are the backbone of the protest, no one pays. Ruling the country, "Georgian Dream" sees the leaders of shares fugitive ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, and Russian journalists, According to participants in the events, automatically equate to the organizers of the US Department of State agents. he says, as the opposition began to call the informal leaders' companions then Moscow, that Ivanishvili ".
But the main driving force behind the protests, 23-year-old activist calls the youth in Georgia. And the only Western instruments in her hands was Facebook.
"Khachapuri in exchange for territories"
Dariko Gelashvili (name changed at her request) several days came to Rustaveli Avenue. She works in the field of IT-services and has nothing to do with politics. She was thirty-five years, and in an interview with RIA Novosti, she keeps repeating, that "far from youthful maximalism". Nevertheless, the persistence of demonstrators, most of which are little more than twenty, It makes her sympathy.
"For we have not stood no power, we no fee for participation in rallies. And we went there not anti-Russian slogans ", - it explains its position.
Dariko agree with the protesters, that Georgia needs of socio-economic transformation. but doubts, that the government will hear their: "Among the many citizens of severe fatigue and the ruling 'Georgian Dream', and from the opposition, "United National Movement". But the alternative to these parties do not see. Not sure, that even a change in the electoral law somehow affect the situation ".
Despite the existing problems, participant meetings underlines, Georgia's independence has made considerable progress in democratic reforms. The only drawback it considers the, that the government does not hear the youth and street actions in the unlikely help. "Even the brightest activists from youth organizations, likely, will not get into parliament in the upcoming elections. This requires serious resources, formal and informal support for various influential forces', - believes Dariko.
On the question RIA Novosti, About, How does the informal support to progress towards democracy, she admits: "Yes, there is a contradiction in. But such is the reality of the Georgian ".
Gelashvili, like most of the protesters, urges the Russian tourists not refuse from trips to Georgia: "Tourism - important sector of our economy, and the contribution of Russians here is huge. But trade in wine and "Borjomi" with Moscow does not mean to forget about the territorial issue. The logic of "we'll buy your khachapuri, and you will forget about Tskhinval and Sukhum "is not working", - says activist.
"Courage responsible for actions"
When the parliament building protests began, Archil Sikharulidze was not in Tbilisi. But the events in the homeland he followed closely. By specialty he analyst, and keep abreast of developments in the country - his professional duty. In its 30 Sikharulidze years created in the Georgian Research Center SIKHA foundation, which specializes in the analysis of political processes.
Watching the events on Rustaveli Avenue, Sikharulidze recognizes, that rush of young activists he understands. At the same time analyst does not believe in the self-organization of protests. He considers, that the opposition party "United National Movement" (END) It played a significant role in mobilizing the masses.
"That, how aggressively the protesters demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Georgi Gahar, can testify, that stands behind the protests the opposition. Gahar has always been a strong politician of the "Georgian Dream". Shortly before speaking his candidacy considered for the post of Prime Minister. And now UNM had a good opportunity to get rid of it as from a strong political player, imputable to the dispersal of the rally ", - says analyst.
The ruling 'Georgian Dream', He believes Sikharulidze, He understands these opposition plans. Party and so went to great concessions protesters, but the question of the resignation of Minister of Internal Affairs for her principled.
"Bidzina Ivanishvili (businessman, founded the party "Georgian Dream". - Note. order.) it is important to show, that his party would be able to control the situation in the country and provide security. Moreover, the contribution of Gahar in public order has always been recognized by all. Therefore, there will be no concessions, and the resignation of the interior minister is unlikely to happen ", - believes Sikharulidze.
With regard to young people, political scientist believes, that is no bright leaders in its environment, ready not only to lead a protest, but also to offer some substantial reform plan.
Sikharulidze draws attention to the fact, that the average age of the Georgian voters - thirty, they are not guided by emotions, as the eighteen-demonstrators on the square, and pragmatics.
"For many Georgians attempt to storm parliament, calls not to obey police (whoever was behind this or, youth or opposition) - a violation of the constitutional order. obviously, that the police violated the law, applying disproportionate force. But if the authorities did not respond, many would have regarded it as an inability to govern the country ".
Young scientist believes, that the election 2020 , the majority in Parliament once again get "Georgian Dream". "In Georgia, there is no real opposition. There are post-revolutionary party without splitting a coherent agenda. Their goal - to push the "Georgian Dream" to do something awful. But while the ruling party - the only force, which is trying to do something for the country. AND, likely, victory will be back for her, If the opposition does not offer something more substantial ".
Georgian youth, as well as society as a whole, should not only protest, but also learn to be responsible for their actions. "To write off all the sins in the power of user-friendly, but in the long run it may not lead to anything ", - says expert.
Galia Ibragimova
