For Georgia Leader Giorgi Gakharia Challenges Bidzina Ivanishvili to a Debate
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, January 11, 2024
Former Prime Minister and leader of the For Georgia party, Giorgi Gakharia, has issued a challenge to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the newly elected honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream party, to a debate. Gakharia expressed his readiness for a debate in any format, be it legal, political, or linguistic. He offered flexibility, suggesting it could take place in a legal setting, on Ivanishvili's media platform, or in the Georgian language, under any conditions.
"From the very first day of my resignation, Ivanishvili knew exactly that nobody and nothing could stop us. He knew exactly because he knew the reasons for this resignation best, in detail. He has been cursing like this for three years. At first, he cursed through letters, then through these little cowardly boys. Now, he has come out himself and continues to curse. Sometimes, I think-Ivanishvili believes that his curse has some magical power. In fact, it's not a magical power; he has deceived people and the team so many times that even his words hold no power! That is why he will continue to curse," Gakharia stated.
According to Giorgi Gakharia, following Ivanishvili's accusations against him, all responsible individuals are obligated to take concrete steps. He expressed hope that Ivanishvili, as a responsible politician, will summon the courage to no longer hide and will accept the invitation to a debate with him.
"Moreover, from my side, if he wishes, I am ready for a debate in any format: legally? - in his own court; politically? - on its own media platform; in Georgian? - in any format, under any attendance conditions. Because I know for sure that legally I am 100% right, politically I am 100% right and, most importantly, I am humanly right and he knows it very well. Ultimately, this is the traditional Georgian way of settling disputes or confirming allegations, and it is also the European standard for doing politics. Therefore, I very much hope that he will have the courage and will not hide anymore, and this will be a step of a responsible politician," Gakharia said.
