Georgia’s former President Salome Zurabishvili has claimed that Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, is increasingly losing most important allies and now stands ‘exposed,’ with only Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze by his side.
Her comments come after the sudden resignation of Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri, a longtime Ivanishvili loyalist. As Zurabishvili stated, this exposes deeper political changes.
“Practically, not a day goes by without a new sign that the first circle around Bidzina Ivanishvili… is collapsing,” she stated. “This is a sign that… the sanctions are working and they are having a much bigger effect than we can imagine.”
Gomelauri announced his resignation earlier today, saying reasons are personal, primarily resulting from the desire to spend more time with his family, including his newborn grandchild. He pointed out that his departure was voluntary and reinforced his loyalty to Georgian Dream.
Gela Geladze, previously Deputy Head of the State Security Service and a former Deputy Minister of Defense and Education, has been named as Gomelauri’s replacement.
Zurabishvili interpreted these changes as further evidence of Ivanishvili’s weakening power. “He is essentially left exposed, relying solely on Irakli Kobakhidze, which does not indicate that this regime enjoys any internal strength,” she said.
She also pointed to weakened relations with Western partners as another warning sign. “Even the letters and messages exchanged with the US Embassy and administration are a sign that any hope of getting things back on track is quickly disappearing, if not already gone.”
Zurabishvili concluded by declaring the current political climate as a turning point. “This struggle is a just struggle, and it’s a struggle that will ultimately lead to victory.”
