Ruling party Honorary Chair hails 12th anniversary of UNM Government defeat as “day of return of freedom”

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chair and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday hailed the party’s defeat of the previous United National Movement administration on this day in 2012 as the “day of return of freedom” in the country. 

In his statement, the official claimed the day had marked a “defining moment in the centuries-old history of Georgia - a day of unprecedented unity and victory for the Georgian people”. 

The former Prime Minister further noted the date “stands as one of the cornerstones of our national identity, embodying the spirit of independence and the reclamation of our dignity. It is a day that highlights the resilience and determination of the Georgian people -  no matter how powerful the enemy, whether internal or external, when it comes to the freedom and honour of our nation, there is no retreat”.

The Honorary Chair described “dignity and freedom” as “red lines” for every Georgian, highlighting “October 1 does not belong to any party or individual, it belongs to the people of Georgia, to every citizen who, alongside GD, washed away the shameful stain that had suffocated our nation. We reclaimed our right to live freely, speak our minds, pursue truth, and protect our families and livelihoods with honour”.

Patriotism is not only about defending the homeland with weapons. It is about having the courage to stand against injustice, especially when others are too afraid to speak out. We dared to raise our voices. We accomplished the impossible. In 2011, when I first entered politics, people were afraid to even gather on the streets. But by September 29, 2012, half a million patriots filled the streets of Tbilisi, showing the world that we were no longer afraid. And on October 1, we went to the ballot boxes - not just to survive, but to win!” Ivanishvili said. 

The official claimed the UNM authorities and their foreign allies “could not withstand the overwhelming strength of the Georgian people united. This day is our shared pride, a symbol of the strength and unity of Georgia”.

Praising GD’s win as the “turning point” in the country’s history,  Ivanishvili claimed the current administration had ensured “fundamental improvements in all areas of life”, including human rights, judiciary and economy”, adding “this is not just our claim, but a fact recognised in international rankings. There is not a single area that was better before 2012 than it is today”.

Despite the efforts of our opponents to hide, distort, and ignore the truth, the Georgian people see tangible progress. This progress is not just the result of our determination but of the careful path we have walked for the last 12 years - and continue to walk to this day”, Ivanishvili said.

“The road has not been easy. Since October 1, 2012, the GD administration has been navigating a precarious path to ensure ongoing peace in the country amid continuous threats from both internal and external adversaries attempting to instigate revolutions and create unrest. It is crucial to prevent the occurrences seen in neighboring Ukraine and to avoid the turmoil experienced in 2008. We must protect our cities, villages, and children from the rain of fire and destruction!", he added.

The official further noted “the public must understand that our journey since October 1, 2012, has been one of perseverance - fighting for our independence, our faith, our culture, and the very values that unite us as Georgians. This day stands as a reminder of our shared struggle and our ultimate victory”. 

In the statement, Ivanishvili urged voters to unite in support of his party to secure a Constitutional majority of at least 113 seats in the 150-member Parliament in the forthcoming vote, and framed the upcoming election as a “key moment for the future of Georgia”, describing the stakes as a matter of the country’s very existence.

He highlighted the importance of securing the Constitutional majority in order to bring legal action against UNM, a party he described as a “regime that terrorised, murdered, and tortured the Georgian people” and caused the 2008 conflict with Russia. 

The Constitutional majority is essential not only to hold those accountable who brought suffering to our people but to ensure that Georgia is governed by a leadership elected by our people, not by a group infiltrated by foreign agents”, Ivanishvili stressed. 

In his call for unity, the official also touched on “key national values, such as faith and family” and advocated for strengthening the Orthodox Church's role in the Georgian Constitution, positioning it as a “fundamental pillar of the nation's identity”.

We must enshrine in the Constitution the role of the Orthodox Church as the cornerstone of Georgia’s identity. The constant attempts to insult our faith, nationality, and family must end”, he said. 

The official reaffirmed securing the Constitutional majority would allow his party to take legal actions to prepare the country for potential unification, to “together, resolve long-standing divisions through peace, reconciliation, and mutual cooperation, continuing our journey toward the unity of our homeland”.

Ivanishvili further framed the election as a “choice between the survival or collapse of the country”, noting “the agenda is not about political preference, it is about the existence of Georgia itself. We owe it to our homeland and to future generations to leave them an independent and peaceful nation”, he urged.

The Honorary Chair of the party concluded by reaffirming his commitment to European integration through a “path of peace and prosperity”, calling for a “united and victorious Georgia”.