Georgian PM pledges “non-polarised democracy” by 2028

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party's election staff and the country's Prime Minister, pledged on Tuesday to achieve a “non-polarised democracy” by 2028, during the presentation of the party’s election programme in Tbilisi.

Describing the polarisation of the domestic political environment as the “main challenge influenced from abroad”, the PM claimed the current ruling power aims to establish a “non-polarised democracy, free from political forces that oppose the democratic system and values in our country”. 

I would like to remind everyone where we stood in 2012 [when the Georgian Dream defeated the former United National Movement administration], where we are today, and where we aim to be in 2028. In 2012, Georgia was under full-fledged authoritarianism. You all remember the situation - the torture of people inside and outside prisons, 150 young people killed in the streets by the previous government, widespread business racketeering, and frequent hijacking of media outlets. There was zero democracy, zero political pluralism, and zero media freedom before 2012”, the official stressed.

He also emphasised that by 2024, Georgia had “already established a functioning democratic system”, reaffirming the GD’s goal of a “non-polarised” domestic political landscape in four years.