Ex –Defence Minister says his successor is not free in decision-making

Georgia’s former Minister of Defence Irakli Alasania, who now is the head of the parliamentary opposition Free Democrats (FD) party, says that his successor, Tinatin Khidasheli, is not free in her decisions.

Moreover, Alasania says a political agenda was created for the first female Defence Minister to follow.

Alasania was dismissed by former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, which he claims was a result of his intentions to bring Georgia closer to NATO and not because of any alleged criminal activity. Consequently, Alasania stated that Georgia’s “Euro-Atlantic course” was at risk.

Alasania said Georgia’s former Prime Minister and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream (DG) coalition stood behind a PR stunt against him, as he had reached an agreement with France Georgia to purchase air-defence weapons.

Minister Tina Khidasheli has responded to the statements made by her predecessor, and stressed that nobody has imposed any agenda and rules on her.

According to Khidasheli, she allowed those blamed for the so-called Cable Case (Alasania’s employees who were arrested for allegedly misspending budgetary funds) to return to their posts and claimed that nobody dictates to her how to do her job.

According to her, Alasania's comments are nothing short of embarrassing.

“It’s shameful that Mr. Alasania has engaged in the Russian propaganda that works directly against me,” Khidasheli said.

Khidasheli also reminded Alasania that the air-defence weapons purchase documents prepared under his ministerial period were then used by her when she signed a deal with France for Georgia to purchase air-defence weapons.

It looks like that the pre-election period in Georgia has turned into a fight between all political leaders, though they seem to be mainly focused on raising their ratings; only a few frequently mention state interests.