Giorgi Gakharia presents new political party ‘For Georgia’
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Monday, May 31
On Saturday, Former Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia presented a new political party ‘For Georgia’. During the presentation, the former Prime Minister talked about the current political climate in the country, including his resignation and the reasons behind the decision.
Among the main reasons for his resignation, the former Prime Minister noted, is that the Georgian Dream put party interests above those of the country.
He also noted that simply comparing the situation of the country to the past is not enough anymore, as it “takes away from the chance of the country’s future development”. He added that everyone should agree that the only way for the successful development of the country is ‘systemic reforms’.
“I was a member of the ruling political party and resigned because the party has drifted away from the problems of Georgian people,” said Gakharia.
During the presentation of the party, Gakharia said that one of the main aims of his political party is to put the end to the radical conflicts in the country.
“Our main goal is to put the end to the radical conflict in the country; We will not team up with any side, where radical people are involved,” added the former PM.
Gakharia also talked about the biggest challenges of the country. According to the former PM’s statement, one of the biggest problems Georgia faces today is corruption. He also added that the country needs rapid economic development.
While Gakharia was presenting his party, activists gathered near Expo Georgia to protest the presentation. Activists had prepared special banners and were talking about the dispersal of rallies under Gakharia's rule.
“Gakharia will never be able to sit at the same table that all the opposition parties are gathered against one main enemy,” said one of the activists.
One of the leaders of the United Nation Movement of Georgia Khatia Dekanoidze said that Gakharia should answer the questions that people have. According to her, if he refuses to answer those questions, he won't be part of the opposition.
On February 18, Giorgi Gakharia resigned from his position as a prime minister. He talked about it at a special briefing and connected this decision with the case of Nika Melia, adding reiterating that there were differences of opinion regarding the issue in the team.
On March 22, Gakharia made his first public appearance since leaving office, saying he hadn’t left politics. On April 14, Gakharia team’s new member Giorgi Khojevanishvili announced that they would begin preparations for the next election and participate in it.
