Levan Bezhashvili from the National Movement Party said Georgian Dream representatives have been harassing his party colleagues in parts of Georgia. (IPN.)

TBILISI, DFWatch — The former ruling party accuses the new government of blackmailing and harassment, while the new government officials ask them to present evidence.

The claims were described at a briefing in the National Movement party’s headquarters. Spokesman Levan Bezhashvili said that in the port city Poti, in Sagarejo, a town in eastern Georgia, and in Rustavi, a small town near the capital, Georgian Dream representatives are blackmailing National Movement members at local councils in order to elect Georgian Dream candidates as mayors and governors.

Bezhashvili says Georgian Dream supports some Sartania to become Mayor of Poti, while Loladze is supported in Sagarejo.

“It should be rated as usurpation of power on the level of local governments,” he says. “Representatives at local municipalities are elected for a four year term and we demand that they have an opportunity to act within the law and the constitution.”

Bezhashvili adds that there have been more than ten such incidents as majoritarian MPs are involved in this process at certain districts.

Tinatin Khidasheli, MP from the majority representing the Republican Party, asks Levan Bezhashvili to present evidence of the harassment and blackmailing.

She told DF Watch that Bezshashvili will have to present names and surnames of those who commited such actions.

“The time has ended when lies to society remained without response, so the National Movement will have to specify each such statement,” she explained.