Why are the Christian Democrats the only opposition group not out protesting?

Throughout the five days of the anti-government protests in Georgia, one opposition group has refused to join the demonstration.

While the Christian Democrats are unhappy with President Mikheil Saakashvili, they don’t believe that demanding his resignation is the way to handle it.

“People are getting used to revolutions and there is a danger that a few years later they will try to do the same,” said Levan Vepkhvadze, the party’s secretary-general. “It’s impossible to solve the problems in the country with such radical methods.” 

His party is interested in negotiating with Saakashvili about reforming government institutions he’s been accused of stripping to have more control: the courts, expanding Parliament’s power in the constitution and changes in the electoral system are the party’s main priorities.

Specifically, said Vepkhvadze, the party is advocating that Georgia should become parliamentary republic, with a president chosen by Parliament.

In part, Vepkhvadze is worried that people have become too accustomed to revolution as a method of changing power.

“Revolution is eating those who gave birth to the revolution,” he said. “I’m not sure that the one who came to power via revolution won’t replicate the present situation. We are becoming the “Banana Republic” where once in a year a new leader takes power.”

 

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