The co-founder and managing partner of ACT, Tinatin Rukhadze, spoke on BMGtv's special broadcast about the journey that has brought the country to its current state.
Tina Rukhadze recalled an allegory: if you place a frog on a hot pan, it will immediately jump off, but if you put it on a cold pan and gradually increase the temperature, it will burn without even realizing it. "This is exactly what happened to us," she said.
The voice of Georgian business for European integration and against injustice – on December 8th, during the "Business Week" broadcast, Georgian business leaders gathered to express their positions on the ongoing events in the country.
"I am here as a representative of business, but first, I want to state my position as a citizen. I absolutely distance myself from the cruelty and deafness exhibited by the ruling party today. I am here to discuss how we got here and what the solutions might be.
I will highlight three main factors. First, we arrived here because of hatred for the previous government. You know how this government came to power and how it was voted in – through hatred for the former administration. But nothing positive can ever be built on hatred, and I deeply hope that we will not see yet another change driven by hatred.
Second, I believe it was the positive expectation of a better future. The government enshrined in the Constitution the clause that the path to the European Union is our choice. We had hope for a better future, and there were signs of progress.
And third, which I think is very significant, is non-conformity, which starts, in my view, with individual conformity. We remained silent on some issues; we turned a blind eye to others. This has led us to a situation akin to the frog on a cold pan, unable to feel the gradual burn. If you place it on a hot pan, it will jump off immediately, but on a cold one, it burns without realizing it," Rukhadze stated.
As for the solution, Rukhadze believes it lies in a united voice from society.
"The solution is in the collective stance of the people, businesses, and all sectors of society. It is about making our voice heard by the government. I see no other way," said the co-founder and managing partner of ACT.
Reminder: Protests began after the ruling Georgian Dream government announced that they would not include the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028. Over the past ten days, riot police have repeatedly dispersed protests using tear gas, pepper spray, and water cannons. Yesterday, on December 7, masked individuals attacked journalists, politicians, and activists. To date, around 400 activists have been arrested, and no law enforcement officers or attackers have faced criminal liability.
