When the formula "Georgia chooses dignity and peace" is proposed to us, entirely legitimate questions arise in response: Whose dignity? What kind of peace? And at what cost? — Gocha Mirtskhulava

Analyst Gocha Mirtskhulava writes on social media:

"We are being told once again: 'Georgia chooses dignity and peace!' Fine. But perhaps those who say 'Indeed, that is so'—or who agree with this slogan of Georgian Dream—could finally explain to us: what exactly does this 'dignity' entail? Does it lie in the fact that a large portion of the population in this country is struggling against poverty? That for thousands of families, securing an income, paying for medical treatment, buying medication, and ensuring a future for their children are daily challenges? That people are leaving the country to seek their futures elsewhere? Is this dignity?" Is it a matter of dignity for government officials to speak to citizens about Europe as a dangerous, humiliating realm that demands "subservience"—while they themselves and their associates study, seek medical treatment, vacation, shop, and buy real estate in that very Europe, enjoying the benefits they simultaneously encourage their own voters to view with suspicion and distrust?

And what about "peace"? How many years has it been since the vast majority of Europe saw war on its own soil? Who is asking Albania or Montenegro to get involved in a war as they move toward EU membership? Who asked Moldova to enter a war in exchange for European integration?

And the main question: where, after all, is "that" evidence that Georgia was asked to join a war in exchange for EU integration? If such a demand existed, the public has the right to know who made it, when it was made, in what form, and where the document confirming it is. Otherwise, the "war or peace" choice is not a genuine choice, but merely a political slogan.

Peace is not simply the absence of tanks rolling through the country. Peace exists when a citizen does not fear the police; when the rights of prisoners are upheld; when a person does not live in fear of violence or persecution for holding a dissenting opinion; when a journalist faces no threat for carrying out their professional duties; and when a citizen trusts the courts and is not viewed by the state as an enemy simply for criticizing the government. Therefore, when the formula "Georgia chooses dignity and peace" is proposed, entirely legitimate questions arise in response: Whose dignity? What kind of peace? And at what cost?

Dignity begins with the dignity of the individual citizen, not with a government slogan. And peace is more than just the absence of war; true peace is a country where a person does not fear the state.

It is a tragedy that real people champion this version of dignity and peace, thereby undermining the state's own dignity and leaving it vulnerable regarding peace. It is also obvious that those who propagate this slogan do not actually believe in it themselves. If only many people knew the definition of honor... or possessed it...“