Ruling Party Honorary Chair: while in power, UNM “dragged Georgia” into war, in opposition it “sabotages” European integration

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chair and Founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday condemned the United National Movement opposition, alleging while in power, it "dragged Georgia" into the 2008 war with Russia and after losing power, it was “sabotaging” the country's progress toward European integration.

Addressing the public in an October 26 general election campaign event in the country’s western city of Kutaisi, the official stressed “they dragged Georgia into the war, which resulted in the loss of territories, tens of thousands of internally displaced persons, more than a hundred lost villages, and the lives of hundreds of heroic servicemembers and peaceful Georgians”. 

Ivanishvili further accused the UNM of “turning against the state” after being ousted from power in 2012, alleging while in the opposition it had engaged in a “persistent campaign to destabilise the country”. "With their constant attempts to divide society, organise rallies and coups, sabotage against the state, they have caused significant damage to Georgia, including in terms of European integration”, he said. 

Reflecting on the UNM's time in office between 2004-2012, Ivanishvili portrayed the party as a regime that “ruled through coercion and fear” and accused it of running an "externally managed" government where repression was widespread. 

"Restriction of freedom of speech, confiscation and appropriation of private property, raiding of peaceful demonstrators became everyday life in Georgia”, he claimed, adding the justice system was “weaponised to target political opponents” through "illegal imprisonment and the use of torture”.

The Honorary Chair also alleged the UNM had relied heavily on foreign support to consolidate its power through affiliated groups, branding it as a "collective UNM” that he claimed “serves as a last refuge of the stateless and criminals”. 

He argued the party remained the “main barrier” to Georgia's development, accusing it of being prepared to "open a second front in Georgia in line with the interests of foreign backers”.

In his remarks, Ivanishvili positioned the GD as the “only legitimate choice for leading the country forward”, adding “the wise Georgian people” were aware of that. 

“With unity, truth, and faith in each other, we prevailed and proved that Georgia was, is, and will always be the homeland of free people - a democratic, developed nation where no one can ever impose an authoritarian regime”, he claimed. 

In his comments, the official praised the achievements under the current administration,  crediting the GD party with “significant progress in democracy, rule of law, and economic growth”. 

"As a result, we live in a country founded on democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human dignity, where fundamental human rights, freedom of opinion, and speech are protected”, he claimed and highlighted Georgia now enjoyed a “healthy judiciary, independent media, and untouchable businesses”, with citizens able to "breathe freely" without fear of political persecution.

Ivanishvili also stressed improvements in various sectors, attributing them to "well-thought-out policies and reforms" by the GD and noted “we have made progress in all areas - be it human rights, the judiciary, healthcare, agriculture, the economy, education, or others”.

The Honorary Chair further pointed to international rankings as validation of the country's achievements, noting “Georgia ranks sometimes in the top five, sometimes third, and even the best in the world, according to global surveys”.

He also cited the International Monetary Fund's projections, which place Georgia among the top three countries worldwide for ten-year growth in key areas, adding, "this means that by 2030, Georgia is highly likely to achieve high-income status according to the World Bank’s classification and proudly join the ranks of wealthy European Union nations”. 

Speaking about the forthcoming vote, Ivanishvili described it as a moment of "fundamental importance" for Georgia, comparing it to the 2012 elections when the GD defeated the nine-year-rule of the UMM. 

The official labelled the vote as a "referendum" on the nation's future, where citizens will choose between "peace and stability, or conflict and external influence”. 

In this context, he accused the "collective National Movement" and “their foreign backers” of attempting to regain power through "revolution and coup" and warned of their plans to "involve Georgia in war”. 

Ivanishvili further asserted that securing a Constitutional majority of at least 113 seats in the 150-member parliament would be “crucial for long-term peace and stable development" and pledged, if achieved, the GD would amend the main law to ban the UNM from returning to power. 

Furthermore, he promised to hold the party accountable for "crimes committed against their own people, including war crimes”. 

"To achieve long-term peace and stable development, it is essential to secure a Constitutional majority. This level of legitimacy will effectively thwart the plans of the collective National Movement and their foreign patrons, who aim to regain power through revolution and coup, and subsequently drag Georgia into war. Moreover, upon securing the Constitutional majority, we will enshrine the ban in the nation's highest legal document, ensuring that the UNM and its affiliated or successor parties are held fully accountable for crimes against the people, including war crimes”, Ivanishvili stressed. 

Speaking about the need of the GD securing the Constitutional majority, Ivanishvili highlighted what he described as a "pseudo-liberal ideology spreading through various non-governmental organisations and political parties” in Georgia, which he claimed aim to "weaken the nation by undermining its history, moral values, and traditions”.

He argued that safeguarding these values required constitutional changes to protect family principles and the interests of minors and emphasised the “crucial role” of the Orthodox Church in Georgia's “identity”. 

He pledged if his party secured a Constitutional majority, steps would be taken to strengthen the Church's position in the Constitution while maintaining the rights of all religious groups, which would continue to be protected.

Ivanishvili further framed the upcoming election as a “crucial choice between the GD”, which he described as a “force for stability and a decent European future”, and a "radical opposition" that he characterised as a “collective of stateless traitors" symbolising "war, chaos, and submission to foreign interests”. 

He warned the opposition, especially the "collective National Movement”, opposed the peaceful restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity and efforts toward national reconciliation.

The official concluded by urging Georgians to exercise "strategic prudence and wisdom" in the current global and regional climate, expressing confidence in the nation's ability to “mobilise and secure a place in Europe's worthy family”. 

Ivanishvili asserted the election outcome would shape the country's path to “maintaining peace and completing the work necessary for Georgia's future stability and prosperity”.