Former leader of European Georgia opposition party forms new political force ‘Droa’
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, March 9
Former leader of the European Georgia opposition party Elene Khoshtaria has founded a new political force Droa (It Is Time). On Monday, Khoshtaria released a video address talking about her plans, which is to expose corrupt officials, abusers, fraudsters, thieves-in-law, nepotism, clan members, and those who have ties with Russia.
“The state propaganda is constantly trying to convince us that corruption, poverty, hopelessness, and occupation are our natural state and destiny. Of course, this is not true and we need to change this with our efforts, consistency, and a clear plan. It is time to show the government we see what is happening and we will not tolerate it,” says Khoshtaria in her video address.
Former leader of European Georgia stated that Georgia is “one of the poorest and most unjust countries in the world which has a potential to become successful and rich.” Khoshtaria reviewed statistics according to which, out of the population of 3 million 700 thousand in Georgia, 400 thousand are socially vulnerable, 300 thousand are in the register of debtors, 600 thousand have pawnshop debt. In 2012-2019 760 thousand people left the country. Based on the 2018 data provided by UNICEF, 69% of the population of Georgia is poor. As a result of unemployment caused by Covid-19, an additional 160,000 people may be put in poverty, and incomes of 400,000 people might be reduced. Khoshtaria said that in the last 8 years, the price of grocery products has increased by approximately 48%, and the price of medicine by 65-70%. External debt has tripled since 2012, and Georgia ranks 44th out of 46 European countries with an average life expectancy.
In an interview with RFE / RL, Khoshtaria revealed further new details about her political force. she specified that Droa is a platform and not a party, therefore this new political force will be able to cooperate with many organizations “that do not want party politics”.
When RFE / RL’s interviewer asked Khoshtaria if there would be celebrities among the team, Khoshtaria said that the presentation would be held at the end of March and the team would be presented there. As she noted, there will be celebrities as well as strangers on the board, also, those who are in politics and those who have not been in politics so far.
Khoshtaria announced the three main directions of the new platform, which are to fight and expose; to raise the interests that are often lost in a political situation, especially in a crisis (including interests of groups with disabilities, groups of women and entrepreneurs in the regions), and to offer ways to solve problems.
Khoshtaria also mentioned the cooperations with other parties and stated that there have been specific initiatives with Zura Japaridze, Lelo, and Giorgi Vahadze for the development of self-government.
