imedi /  01 October 2026, 12:19 / Reliable source

Georgia’s ruling party official says October 1 represents more than victory date for Georgian Dream, credits Bidzina Ivanishvili’s leadership for political change through elections

Photo: Georgian Dream

Irakli Kirtskhalia

Irakli Kirtskhalia, the Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s parliamentary faction, said on Thursday that October 1 was not merely a date of victory for the ruling team, but a turning point in Georgia’s modern history.

In a social media message, Kirtskhalia said that fourteen years ago, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s sense of responsibility, self-sacrifice, commitment to principle, and leadership created the conditions for political change to be achieved through elections.

“For our political team, October 1 represents more than just a date of victory; we regard it as a pivotal moment in Georgia’s modern history. Fourteen years ago, under the leadership of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the entire country united around a national cause. It was his personal sense of responsibility, self-sacrifice, commitment to principle, and leadership that made it possible to bring about political change in the country through the electoral process”, Kirtskhalia said.

“Bidzina Ivanishvili’s role in relation to the Georgian Dream party did not begin on October 1. Over many years, he has undertaken numerous initiatives of national importance, efforts that continue to this day and will persist for as long as our country requires them. Our team directly attributes the development of the political course that today defines Georgia’s commitment to sovereignty, peace, and the protection of national interests to Bidzina Ivanishvili”, he continued.

Kirtskhalia added that October 1 was also a day to express gratitude to those who, in his words, made the right choice at the time.

“We also extend our special thanks to the loyal members and supporters of the Georgian Dream party. October 1 reminds us where this journey began. Now, fourteen years later, it is our responsibility to ensure that this path continues in defense of Georgia’s peace, sovereignty, and national interests”, he concluded.

All News

Photo: Government Administration

04 October 2026, 16:33

Politics

Georgian PM: Georgia’s real economic growth averaged 9.3% since 2020

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Saturday that Georgia’s real economic growth has averaged 9.3% since 2020 and that the country currently ranks first in Europe in terms of economic growth.

Photo: Parliament of Georgia

04 October 2026, 16:31

Politics

Ruling Georgian Dream party MP: municipal by-election results demonstrate weakness of radical opposition

Tornike Paghava, the Deputy Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, said on Sunday that the results of the recent municipal council by-elections demonstrated the weakness of Georgia’s “radical opposition”, which he linked to findings from recently leaked International Republican Institute (IRI) polling data.

Photo: Government Administration

04 October 2026, 14:55

Politics

PM: external pressure after 2022 ultimately strengthened Georgia’s sovereignty

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Saturday that increased pressure on Georgia and its sovereignty after 2022 had forced the Government to take decisive steps, which he argued ultimately resulted in a significant strengthening of the country’s state sovereignty.

Photo: Government Administration

04 October 2026, 14:40

Politics

PM says Georgia spends hundreds of millions annually on defence capabilities

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on Saturday that hundreds of millions are spent annually on strengthening Georgia’s defence capabilities, including the acquisition of armaments and the development of military infrastructure.

Photo: Tbilisi City Hall

04 October 2026, 14:37

Politics

Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen responds to ALDE call for targeted sanctions against Georgian officials: sanctions will have zero effect

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Sunday that potential targeted sanctions against representatives of the Georgian Dream Government would have no effect, responding to a joint appeal by the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and the European Liberal Forum.

Photo: Tbilisi City Hall

04 October 2026, 14:35

Politics

Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: municipal by-election results show strong public support for Georgian Dream

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Sunday that the results of the recent municipal by-elections demonstrated strong public support for Georgian Dream and showed that the opposition had lost its influence.

Photo: Tbilisi City Hall

04 October 2026, 14:33

Politics

Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen says October 4 scenario was arranged from abroad

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Sunday that there should be no expectation of a response from European countries to the events of October 4, 2025, arguing that the scenario had been planned and managed from abroad.

Photo: CEC

04 October 2026, 13:55

Elections

Georgian Central Election Commission Chair: municipal by-elections confirm credibility of electoral system

Giorgi Kalandarishvili, the Chair of Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC), on Sunday said the municipal council by-elections were conducted in a free environment and administered at a highly professional level, noting that no complaints had been filed with district election commissions.

Photo: Parliament of Georgia

04 October 2026, 13:38

Politics

Georgian Parliament Speaker: October 4 ended illusion of power change through foreign-backed protests, street violence

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday said the events of October 4, 2025 defeated not only a specific violent attempt to overthrow the Government, but also what he described as the long-cultivated notion that political power in Georgia could be changed through street violence and foreign political backing rather than elections.

Photo: Government Administration

04 October 2026, 13:02

Politics

PM says EU candidate status was used to pressure Georgia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said Georgia was denied European Union candidate status in 2022 without any explanation, arguing that the decision was used by European institutions as a tool to pressure the Georgian Government.

Photo: Government Administration

04 October 2026, 12:23

Politics

Georgian PM highlights progress on EU Association Agreement commitments

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said Georgia’s primary task in its relations with the European Union was to implement the commitments outlined in the Association Agenda and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement, noting that the country has already fulfilled around 90% of the relevant obligations and will be significantly better prepared to advance the process by the end of 2028.

Photo: Government Administration

04 October 2026, 11:58

Politics

Georgian PM says domestic opposition’s falsehoods main driver of social division

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Saturday said the primary cause of division in Georgian society was the spread of falsehoods by the opposition on a range of issues, calling on all political and public actors to act responsibly, tell the truth and promote unity rather than hatred.

Photo: Imedi TV

03 October 2026, 15:55

Justice

Georgian police arrest 80 over ties to criminal underworld, charges filed against 14 more, including one ‘thief-in-law’

Georgian law enforcement authorities on Saturday arrested 80 people in a large-scale operation targeting individuals allegedly linked to the so-called “thieves’ underworld”, while 14 others are set to face charges, including one alleged “thief in law” who is currently abroad.

Photo: US Embassy

03 October 2026, 11:37

Politics

US Embassy marks 32nd anniversary of Georgia-US military partnership

The United States Embassy in Georgia on Saturday marked the 32nd anniversary of the partnership between the US state of Georgia’s National Guard and the Georgian Defence Forces, highlighting decades of joint training and defence cooperation.

Photo: Imedi TV

02 October 2026, 22:02

Politics

Georgia’s ruling party MP highlights positive signals from Washington

Aluda Gudushauri, the First Deputy Chair of Parliament’s Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Committee, said on Friday that Georgia should continue providing European decision-makers with information about the country’s political situation, while also noting what he described as increasingly positive signals from the United States.

Photo: Faceebok

02 October 2026, 21:52

Justice

Georgian Public Defender says no evidence found of alleged ill-treatment of convict Giorgi Davitadze

Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani said on Friday that the Public Defender’s Office reviewed video footage from a penitentiary facility following a complaint by convict Giorgi Davitadze, but found no evidence supporting allegations of ill-treatment.

Photo: Parliament of Georgia

02 October 2026, 17:16

Politics

Georgian Parliament official: European Commission survey shows high public trust in Georgian Government

Archil Gorduladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs, on Thursday commented on a survey published by the European Commission, saying the findings had dealt a blow to what he described as “EU bureaucracy”.

Photo: Government Administration

02 October 2026, 17:09

Foreign policy

Georgian PM, Turkish Education Minister discuss expanding educational ties

The close friendship and long-standing partnership between Georgia and Turkey, spanning both political and economic spheres, were discussed on Friday in a meeting between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Turkish Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin.

Levan Zhorzholiani

02 October 2026, 17:06

Politics

Georgian Government Administration Head: Government maintained stability amid geopolitical challenges

Levan Zhorzholiani, the Head of the Administration of the Government of Georgia, on Friday said the Government had succeeded in maintaining peace and stability in the country despite a challenging geopolitical environment, while also delivering strong economic growth.

Photo: Ministry of Defence of Georgia

02 October 2026, 16:45

Defence

Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey reaffirm defence cooperation at ministerial meeting

Georgian Defence Minister Irakli Chikovani on Friday participated in a trilateral meeting with his Azerbaijani and Turkish counterparts, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov and Yaşar Güler, to discuss strategic partnership and defence cooperation among the three countries.