Ruling party Honorary Chair: October 26 elections “decisive to save country”

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chair and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday called the Saturday’s Parliamentary elections a “decisive day to save the country”. 

In his address to the public during the final campaign event in the capital Tbilisi, the official highlighted the country’s “genuine transformation” under the current Government, while condemning what he called the attempts of “foreign-influenced” domestic “radical opposition” to “drag the country into war”. 

In his comments, Ivanishvili recounted the “dramatic changes” Georgia had undergone since the fall of the previous ruling United National Movement administration in 2012, contrasting it with what he described as “years of terror and external control under the previous regime”.

"Since 2003, Georgia was ruled by a regime controlled by external forces”, Ivanishvili claimed, accusing the former government of perpetuating an environment defined by "terror, violence, murder, torture, and restriction of freedom”. 

He recalled an era when the justice system was “weaponised, prisons were likened to hell, and the media was monopolised, erasing the boundaries between the presidency, state institutions, and the ruling party”.

The most significant blow, according to Ivanishvili, was the 2008 war with Russia. "In just a few days, Georgia lost hundreds of heroic servicemembers and civilians. and tens of thousands of people became displaced in their own country”, Ivanishvili said and blamed the UNM for what he called an "unforgivable betrayal that led to the tragedy of the war”.

Ivanishvili hailed the 2012 elections as a “turning point”, describing it as a moment when the country "regained its freedom" and began building a society based on the rule of law. 

The official further pointed to the establishment of an "independent judiciary, untouchable businesses, and free media" as cornerstones of Georgia's progress under GD leadership.

In his comments, Ivanishvili presented what he referred to as a "report" on the Government's accomplishments, highlighting key economic achievements. 

He noted that since 2012, Georgia's economy had grown from less than ₾28 billion ($10.22bln) to ₾90 billion ($32.85bln) in 2024. The national budget has tripled from ₾8.5 billion ($3.10bln) to almost ₾28 billion ($10.22bln).

Ivanishvili highlighted unemployment had halved from 26.7 percent in 2012, and the average salary had increased from ₾712 ($259.89) to over ₾2,000 ($730.01) in 2024. The Honorary Chair noted pensions had also seen a “significant rise”, increasing from ₾125 ($45.63) to about ₾350-450 ($127.75-$164.25). 

He also pointed to the growth in personal savings and deposits as a sign of increased trust in the Government and the country's economic stability. 

"At the end of 2012, the volume of deposits placed by individuals in national currency amounted to ₾846 million ($308.80mln), which has now increased almost 13 times to ₾10.7 billion ($3.91bln). The amount of foreign currency deposits made by individuals rose from ₾3 billion ($1.10bln) to ₾18.78 billion ($6.85bln) today”.

"Such progress not only confirms the rise in people's income but also demonstrates the level of trust in the state and the GD Government”, the official noted. 

Ivanishvili also claimed until 2012, health problems for the population of Georgia “meant impoverishment or practically death” and added “since the launch of the Universal Healthcare Program, we have treated 3,300,000 citizens of Georgia from the budget”.

He also noted that infrastructure development had surged, with “high-standard, four-lane international highways being built throughout Georgia” and added that modernised railways and increased passenger flow at Tbilisi and Kutaisi international airports demonstrated “ongoing growth, alongside the planned construction of the new international airport in Vaziani and the port of Anaklia”. 

In the tourism sector, Ivanishvili reported a “substantial increase” in revenue, claiming “in 2012, tourism revenue was $1.4 billion, in 2024, it will amount to $4.5 billion”. 

The official highlighted the agricultural sector had also seen “unprecedented financing” since 2012, enabling farmers to use state programs effectively. 

“As a result, the area of vineyards in Georgia has increased by 70 percent. Processing of grapes increased six times, and wine exports rose from $65 million to $259 million”, he explained. 

The Honorary Chair also stressed the income of winegrowers grew from ₾70 million ($9.33mln) in 2012 to ₾350 million ($127.75mln) in 2023.

In the energy sector, Ivanishvili noted the construction of 63 hydroelectric power stations, two thermal power stations, and one wind power station. 

According to the current plan, by 2030, Georgia will be a fully energy independent country”, he assured.

The official further noted “significant increase” in education funding, which he said had quadrupled since 2012, leading to improved infrastructure and higher salaries for teachers. 

“The salary of our valuable teachers increased by ₾500 ($182.50)”, he added.

Ivanishvili also pointed to Georgia's “enhanced international standing”, and stressed  “before 2012, Georgia had no real European perspective. The GD Government won Georgia visa-free travel and the status of a candidate for European Union membership”. 

“I assure you, especially the young people, that we will definitely bring this process to its logical end”, he pledged. “Under our Government, Georgia will become a worthy member of the European family”.

He cited various international assessments to substantiate his claims, saying, “according to the 2024 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes of the Atlantic Council, Georgia is in the top five in the world with ten-year progress in prosperity”.

Ivanishvili noted Georgia's top ranking in the Open Budget Index among 125 countries, reflecting transparency in governance. He further remarked on improvements in judicial independence and civil rights, saying “Georgia ranks third in the world for freedom from physical violence by the government”.

The Honorary Chair highlighted projections from the World Bank that he said indicate a decline in international poverty levels in Georgia to a “historic low” by 2024, placing the country among the top five globally for poverty reduction over the past twelve years.

“I want to emphasise once again that since October 1, 2012, the Government of Georgia and the ruling party have had to navigate a precarious path to maintain continuous peace in the country, constantly facing attempts by both foreign and local adversaries to incite revolutions and disrupt our stability”, Ivanishvili claimed. 

He added “today, as we reach the end of this challenging journey and have nearly achieved peace, the upcoming elections on October 26 represent the crucial battleground. To put it simply, the stakes on October 26 are not about political sympathies or antipathies, but about Georgia's very presence on the political map”.

The official further noted if his party secured a Constitutional majority of at least 113 seats in the 150-member Parliament, the UNM and “affiliated groups” would be prosecuted for alleged crimes while in office and the GD would further “solidify the role” of the country’s Orthodox church and “defend the youth” from “pseudo liberal values”. 

Ivanishvili claimed he “along with all of Georgia, including opponents, firmly believed” to obtain the Constitutional majority in the vote, adding in such a development the GD “will not only preserve peace and safeguard our country but also set the stage for years of development, reconstruction, and integration into the EU”.