ArmInfo. The events in Georgia have internal political overtones, Russia is just a pretext. This opinion on June 21 at a press conference in Yerevan was expressed by leading researcher at the Center for Euro-Atlantic Security at the Institute of International Studies at Moscow State Institute for International Relations, Sergey Markedonov.
"Yes, the topic of Russia was in focus, but this is not the reason. Here the main thing is to be able to separate the reason and the occasion. In the situation with Gavrilov, who was in the speaker's chair, this is just an occasion, the reasons are internal," the Russian expert said, stressing that protest sentiments grew in Georgia last year, and the ruling "Georgian Dream", which came to power with triumph, begins to be criticized, because people see that socio-economic issues are not being resolved.
'' Georgian Dream'' can be compared with the work of Pushkin ''Boris Godunov'' - I reached the highest authority. ''Georgian Dream'' in 2017, used the Constitution as it wished, without even looking at the opposition, an intra-national split occurred. And it might seem that the goal has been fulfilled, however the protest moods developed, " the political scientist noted.
According to him, people are beginning to see that the authorities no longer fully control the situation, and of course, the opposition is trying to ride these protests. He also pointed to the fact that Russian tourists bring huge profits to Georgia, and having expelled the Russians, the Georgians will suffer serious losses. <I still think that the reasons are internal. The Russian theme is ''tasty'', and therefore the opposition is trying to play on it. And then there will be mutual accusations, the opposition will accuse the government of pro- Russian sentiments, while the authorities will accuse the opposition'', he noted.
At the same time, he expressed the conviction that the process of normalization of Georgian-Russian relations would be frozen, at least until the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2020. "I believe that the second stage of normalization should not be launched until the parliamentary elections in Georgia" Markedonov said.
At the same time, he stated that the tension between Georgia and Russia, as well as the tension between the West and Iran, will negatively affect Armenia. "It is very difficult for Armenia, which does not have common border with its strategic ally Russia, while 75% of its exports and imports pass through Georgia, the country that is one of the irritants for Russia. In such a situation, Armenia must live and adapt to this difficult scheme", Markedonov summed up.
On Thursday evening, a large-scale anti-government action took place in Tbilisi, caused by the speech of State Duma Deputy Sergei Gavrilov in the Georgian parliament. Participants demanded the responsibility of the government, the resignation of the Minister of the Interior, the Chairman of the Parliament and the Head of the State Security Service.
The authorities refused to meet these requirements, and closer to midnight the rally participants tried to break into the parliament building. The police used tear gas and rubber bullets against them. Later, special forces were mobilized against demonstrators and water cannons were involved. In response, protesters threw stones and sticks at law enforcement officers, took away their shields and helmets.