Ruling Party Honorary Chair: “radical opposition”, affiliated NGOs, media seeking to "drag" Georgia into war “under foreign influence”

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chair and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, claimed on Saturday the “radical wing” of the domestic opposition, along with affiliated non-governmental organisations and media outlets, were acting “under foreign directives” to “draw Georgia” into the "war".

Speaking at an election campaign event in Telavi, eastern Georgia, Ivanishvili warned of “disastrous consequences” reminiscent of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war and accused the groups of “attempting to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty” in ways that “even centuries of foreign conquests could not achieve”.

In his address, Ivanishvili accused the previous ruling party, the United National Movement, of “waging a war on the winemaking tradition” of the Kakheti region and claimed later it had caused “far worse devastation by leading Georgia into a war that brought disaster to a nation already grappling with terror and poverty”.

“The tragic events of August 2008 weigh heavily on their conscience. The UNM is responsible for the catastrophe that claimed lives and led to the loss of Georgia’s territories”, the official said, adding that UNM leaders had “admitted to unleashing the war themselves” through their signing of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, led by Heidi Tagliavini.

Ivanishvili reaffirmed if the GD secured a Constitutional majority of at least 113 seats in the 150-member Parliament in the upcoming election, the party would pursue legal action against the UNM.

“The individuals responsible for heinous crimes - torture, murder of citizens, business racketeering, and widespread corruption - must be held accountable. Georgian society must rid itself of this political malignancy to break free from the vicious cycle we are trapped in”, he stressed. 

Ivanishvili also claimed the “radical opposition”, in concert with “allied political, non-governmental, and media organisations”, was serving the interests of foreign powers, “actively working to push Georgia toward another tragic war”. He further accused the forces of seeking to regain power “at any cost”.

“We cannot afford to make any mistakes. Otherwise, the catastrophe of August 2008 will repeat itself. Hostile forces are planning Georgia’s downfall through local agents, aiming to achieve what no conqueror has managed for centuries”, the former Prime Minister said. 

He asserted the GD was engaged “not only in the election campaign but also in a broader fight to safeguard the country’s peace, sovereignty, traditions, and values” and called the upcoming vote “the main battleground” in this struggle.

“This is a fight to realise our long-standing aspiration of seeing our homeland united once again. However, the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity can only be achieved through peaceful means, based on reconciliation and mutual understanding”, he added.

Ivanishvili also emphasised that securing a Constitutional majority would enable the GD to take concrete steps toward “protecting and strengthening” the Orthodox Church, including reflecting its “special role” in the Georgian Constitution, and to “prepare” the country for the potential restoration of territorial integrity through legal amendments.

He stressed that highlighting the role of the Orthodox Church in the Constitution “should not be interpreted as a threat to any religious denomination”, noting that Georgia was known for its “mutual respect” between people of different faiths. The Government, he assured, would continue to “guarantee the protection and freedom of all religious groups” in the country.

Ivanishvili also praised the efforts of the GD authorities in supporting the residents of Kakheti through various state programs, noting that since 2012, the region had undergone “significant development”. The official stressed this included the construction of international highways and an airport, which had “bolstered” the region's investment and tourism potential.

“With its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, Kakheti has become a highly attractive destination for both Georgian citizens and international visitors, leading to unprecedented growth in tourism”, Ivanishvili said.

Concluding his speech, the Honorary Chair urged the public to choose “between war and peace, between pseudo-liberal values and values rooted in nationality, family, faith, and independence, between the genuine European future our country deserves and the unacceptable reality that the radical opposition and foreign actors are attempting to impose”.