The founder of the Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, on December 30 announced his official return to politics after years of being claimed by many to have ruled from the shadows.
Georgian Drram elected Ivanishvili as the “Honorary Chairman” of the party at a congress boasting around 350 delegates in attendance.
“Good to see Ivanishvili finally came out of hiding. His excuses were weak. Challenge accepted!” former Prime Minister and the Chairman of the For Georgia party, Giorgi Gakharia, wrote in response to the news.
“The only thing I could not count on was the betrayal of the country and the team by Giorgi Gakharia one month after I distanced myself from politics,” Bidzina Ivanishvili stated in reply, adding that he was forced to take on the function of advisor as a result.
“For the first time since 2018, I find myself having to return to politics. I recall the words of the former ambassador of the European Union, an ambassador with whom I was friends, who told me back then that if I did not return for even a month, there would be nothing left of the ruling party. I fulfilled my mission. We organized the team, set up the system, and after that I left politics for a second time- to retire, and I had a good reason for doing so.
“The only thing I could not count on was the betrayal of the country and the team by Giorgi Gakharia one month later. I had to act as an advisor. If I hadn’t helped the team, through consultations, the processes would have developed into a most difficult scenario for the country.
“I have been regularly communicating with 2-3 leaders of the party, helping to maintain a healthy situation in the team. A former leader of the party advising the team is a common occurrence, it happened and is happening in many democratic countries,” Ivanishvili noted.
Ivanishvili said that despite claims to the contrary, he will not be a candidate for Prime Minister.
“I will not be a candidate for the position of Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will not change,” Ivanishvili said.
When asked whether changes in the party or the government are expected after his return, Ivanishvili says that “no such thing is planned”.
“Bidzina, take the hands of the Iraklis, Liluashvilis, Partskhaladzes, Sozars and go to Mother Russia!”
Chairman of the United National Movement, Levan Khabeishvili, wrote on his Facebook page in response to Bidzina Ivanishvili’s return to politics. “What has Bidzina Ivanishvili done in 11 years that he still allows himself to ask for support?! Bidzina, take the hands of the Iraklis, Liluashvilis, Partskhaladzes, Sozars and go to Mother Russia! People want Europe, peace, security and prosperity!
“We will win the main battle and the Georgian people will win! In 2018, the people won and Ivanishvili ‘returned’; he shed tears and promised the people prosperity; he cashed in, then left.
“‘Unless a disaster happens, I will not return,’ he said. It’s a disaster for him – the people won and we got candidate status for the European Union. Now he is back again, fearing the loss of power … our work, the activism of the people and the involvement of Saakashvili in the process completely destroyed the Russian party…what has he done in 11 years to give him the right to ask for support?” Khabeishvili asked.
Tina Bokuchava, chair of the UNM faction in parliament, said Thursday: “De-oligarchization means getting rid of the harmful influence of one oligarch and ensuring the independence of institutions. The return of Ivanishvili to politics cannot ensure this. On the contrary.”
By Team GT
