Playing with Emotions

I think that opposition leaders Alasania, Burjanidze, and Gachechiladze made an error today, and revealed their assumption that the crowds gathered in front of Parliament would support them in any of their demands. The truth is quite different however, as demonstrated when crowds booed a comment from Alasania that he was ready to dialogue with the authorities on issues.

From Civil.ge

“Today is a decisive moment when we make decisions to achieve those common goals which we have set together,” he said. "On behalf of the leaders of all political parties represented here I want to announce: after our joint demand [on the President’s resignation], today Mikheil Saakashvili stated that he is ready to meet with the opposition leaders We want to say one thing: in accordance with the people’s will, in accordance with this fair demand, we want to make our demand an issue of national judgment and we will meet him only openly, only publicly in presence of those representatives, who enjoy public trust.”

As he made these remarks he was immediately booed by the protesters with some of them chanting: “No, No.”

Alasania is a diplomat, not a crowd pleaser. He spent the last few years in ambassador posts and most recently as the Georgian representative to the UN. His intention has been to dialogue with government authorities over issues of contention, but that isn't the reason the crowd is there. They've been promised political blood and gore, namely the overthrow of the government with a symbolic resignation by the overbearing president. Nothing less will do.

I say this somewhat tongue in cheek, because the possibility of Saakashvili actually resigning seems fairly slim. But actually, it's disappointing that the opposition leaders don't seem to have any articulated policy differences with Saakashvili. Most of what we hear is complaining about past wrongs. To be taken seriously, a candidate has to have a credible background, with legitimate talking points, or so one would hope.

The fact that crowds booed Alasania's point about seeking dialogue indicates to me that the hype surrounding this whole event has been misplaced. By going for the most radical aim -the complete resignation of the President- protesters don't want to settle for anything less. After all, why should their presence be used by the opposition leaders as a bargaining tool for their own political careers? Who is to say that Alasania and the rest of them don't cut some backroom deal with Saakashvili that doesn't benefit the people protesting in the slightest? It wouldn't be the first time this has happened.

So no, we don't want your dialogue with the President. We want blood and gore, as promised!

If the opposition politicians hope to keep faith with their constituencies, they better have a more consistent approach, and choose their rhetoric more carefully. If the rhetoric is to be political upheaval, then keep it that way. If it is to be dialogue, then name specific, key goals, and put those forward.