“I also contributed to the strengthening of the power of Ivanishvili and the “Dream”, because I could not allow that a person who had all the opportunities, had the trust and support of the people to play an important positive role in the history of Georgia, at a decisive moment, would deliberately stand on the wrong side of history due to his personal interests. He would not have done it himself, openly and boldly, but he would have acted hidden, behind the backs of proxies, – Giorgi Gakharia, the chairman of the “For Georgia” party, states when assessing the two years since his resignation from the post of prime minister.
He calls it his “mistake” and his “responsibility” to the Georgian people. However, as Gakharia pointed out, today is not the time for self-righteousness, but the time for action.
In the recent video address, Gakharia claims that in the last 2 years, many changes have taken place in the country for the worse.
“On February 18, it will be 2 years since I resigned. I stepped down because it led us down the path of hopelessness/dead end where we are today. Then I could not convince “Dream” that we would separate from democratic values and the West; As it turned out today, that was their goal.
“During these 2 years, many changes took place in the country. Unfortunately, for the worse. Today, 2 years later, we live in another Georgia. In a country where more and more people are leaving because of hopelessness. In a country where there is no longer an institution independent of the ruling party, where everyone who fights for European and democratic values is labeled an agent. At the same time, Georgia was given an unprecedented opportunity – to become a part of modern Europe today, not ten years later.
“An opportunity that generations have fought for and that our children dream of, that we deserve and that we have paid the price of war many times over. Today, this opportunity arose as a result of the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people.
“At this crucial moment, instead of uniting around a common European goal, Bidzina Ivanishvili, through his proxies, opened a discussion – do we want Europe at all?! – and in fact he refuses the centuries-old choice of the Georgian people. It’s just that he doesn’t want Europe that would limit his uncontrolled power, and he forgets that Georgian people have shed blood for the European future.
“On the one hand, the “Dream” tells us that this state belongs to Bidzina Ivanishvili and we should act so that Ivanishvili’s money is protected. On the other hand, “National Movement” tells us that this state is Saakashvili’s and nothing else is important except his health and comfort. In the end, both parties associate the future of Georgia with the name of Ivanishvili or Saakashvili,” Gakharia says.
According to him, this state belongs to neither Bidzina nor Misha.
“This state belongs to the Georgian people, who made a choice a long time ago, and this choice is the future of Europe. We all want peace. Everything we do must be done for the sake of peace. Of course, Georgia needs a wise, balanced and cautious foreign policy. But, in reality, the supposedly “peaceful” and “cautious” policy of the “Dream” puts the country’s future in great danger, leaving us vulnerable, without real friends, face to face with Russia. Unfortunately, today, Georgia has become an interdependent society. Young people are fleeing the country. They run away not only because of the difficult economic situation, but primarily because of hopelessness. They run away to Europe, America, where they see their future. They no longer want to stay in their homeland, which is increasingly returning to the past.
“Amidst these challenges, instead of bringing more Europe to Georgia, the country is moving towards the past. Unfortunately, this is my share of responsibility.
“I also contributed to the strengthening of the power of Ivanishvili and the “Dream”, because I could not allow that a person who had all the opportunities, had the trust and support of the people to play an important positive role in the history of Georgia, would deliberately stand on the wrong side of history because of his personal interests at a crucial moment. He would not do this himself, openly and boldly, but would act hidden, behind the backs of puppets. This is my mistake and responsibility to the Georgian people. However, today is not the time for excuses, it is the time for action. No matter what happens, no matter what they call me, blame me, if I am left alone, I will return this debt!
“Today we have a chance to save history and become a part of modern strong Europe. There is no peace without a European future, just as there is no European future without peace. Georgian people deserve this!” – said Gakharia.
