Georgian PM says ruling party to unveil election programme on October 1

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said the ruling Georgian Dream party would present its election programme, outlining a “detailed plan” for the country's development over the next four years, on October 1.

Kobakhidze told Imedi TV the programme would involve “future-oriented” initiatives.

The Prime Minister also revealed the first part of the party's election list was scheduled to be announced within the next week, with the full list set to be presented by September 26. He noted changes within the list, stating it was a “natural and healthy part of politics”.

The strengthening of the political system, for which it is necessary to declare the collective National Movement [in reference to the opposition UNM party] unconstitutional, is a necessary condition for the economy to develop and social conditions of the population to improve. Otherwise, we will have constant obstacles in the way of our development. Therefore, the economy and a prohibition of the United National Movement are directly related to each other”, he said. 

The PM claimed the “political problem” needed to be resolved or the country may “face an existential threat at any moment”.

Kobakhidze also cited Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the Georgian Dream party, as saying the public “cannot walk on a minefield all the time”, in reference to the alleged political issues.