PM: October 1, 2012 “most important” date in modern Georgian history, Georgian Dream party, citizens of Georgia, changed government “peacefully’ for the “first time” by democratic elections

October 1, 2012, is the “most important” date in the history of modern Georgia, the Georgian Dream party, together with the citizens of Georgia, changed the government for the first time with democratic elections, in a peaceful way, the country’s prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Saturday. 

Garibashvili highlighted the “personal role” of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former prime minister and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, which had been “decisive” in the process of changing the “anti-state” regime “peacefully”, as well as for laying the “foundation” for the “successful” development of Georgia. 

In complete hopelessness, deep political, economic and social crises, he [Ivanishvili] was able to mobilise people's energy and give it the right direction. As a result, we did what seemed impossible before - we peacefully replaced the anti-state regime”, Garibashvili said.

The head of the government noted that the ruling party had not “only maintained and strengthened” political stability in Georgia, but had also carried out “large-scale” economic and social reforms, deepened democratic processes, as well as strengthened security and defence capabilities of the country, while also taking “important steps” towards the “historic” choice of Georgian people - joining the European Union.

All this [...] would not be possible without the great support and participation of the community. Today, I once again thank the founder of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, members of our party, supporters, and the whole society, the PM noted in his statement.

Garibashvili said he “believed” that the “further” progress of Georgia should continue to be based on the “unity” of the government and the people, for which the foundation had been laid “exactly ten years ago".