GD party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili leaves politics
By Khatia Bzhalava
Tuesday, January 12
Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party has released an open letter yesterday, announcing his departure from politics. Ivanishvili states in his letter that the ruling party is staffed with individuals who can replace his “hard work, authority, and skills in a worthy manner.”
According to Ivanishvili, the results of the 2020 parliamentary elections in Georgia were unprecedented in the history of the country as the ruling party was able to obtain the mandate to rule from the people for a third term. He noted that this victory is the clearest, most distinct, and indisputable recognition of party members’ joint efforts. The letter reads that the electoral success of the GD party was logical and expected. “The ruling team truly is the best option that has no alternative in terms of features and characteristics among all political actors that exist today,” reads the letter.
Ivanishvili announced his decision about leaving the post of party chairman, as well as the party itself. He believes that his mission has been accomplished and therefore, has decided to retire from politics and fully distance himself from the reins of power. According to Ivanishvili, he is leaving politics proud, victorious, and grateful to the people. He is confident that the Georgian people will appreciate his decision, which, according to him, is dictated by the same interests that led him to enter politics.
The letter reads that the purpose of his entry into politics in 2011 was to fulfill two main goals – ensuring the unhindered movement of the country along the Euro-Atlantic course chosen by the Georgian people and putting an end to Mikheil Saakashvili’s ‘violent, inhumane, and undemocratic’ regime in a lawful manner, through election. According to Ivanishvili, the opposition at that time did not have the resource to change the government without his direct participation in the process. The billionaire believes that both of his tasks have been accomplished.
Ivanishvili’s letter is critical towards Mikheil Saakashvili and the previous government. The letter stresses that during Georgian Dream’s rule, a previously severe situation especially in terms of freedom of media and independence of business has significantly improved.
The letter reads that the current team of Georgian Dream party “is a unity that, with its patriotism, dedication, intellect, solidarity with its fellow citizens, and professionalism, is in every way on a par with the governments of European states.”
“I leave politics with the hope that even that part of today's opposition which, through a lack of political will, inexperience, or spinelessness, ended up within the zone of influence of the evil and its main architect, will become convinced of the futility of an inappropriate attitude toward the interests of the homeland due to political selfishness and one man's unbridled desire to seize power,” commented Ivanishvili about the opposition parties who refuse to take up their mandates in parliament. “I am certain that these parties are aware of the hopelessness of their current position and that they will overcome this influence, that is, they will fight for their future, which, in turn, will be a prospect for Georgian democracy,” he added.
Yesterday, the GD party held a political council meeting at the party office. Kakha Kaladze, Secretary-General of the ruling party stated after the meeting that the convention of the Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party would be held on January 16. The convention, which will be attended by up to 400 delegates from all over the country, will elect a new Chairman of the party. At the decision of the political council, Irakli Kobakhidze will be nominated for the post of Party Chairman.
