Georgian Dream party marks 13th anniversary, highlights achievements, challenges over years

The Political Council of the ruling Georgian Dream party on Monday marked the party’s 13th anniversary by saying that on April 21, 2012, Bidzina Ivanishvili founded the movement and began what they called a “decisive fight” against a “bloody dictatorship”, risking his and his family’s lives during a very difficult time for the country.

In a statement, the ruling party noted that following the victory over the UNM regime in 2012, Georgia “firmly embraced the principles of democracy and the rule of law, secured fundamental human rights and freedoms, and set the country on a path of irreversible development” under the leadership of the Georgian Dream.

The statement went on to underscore the Georgian Dream’s record of preserving peace, describing the party as the first Government since the restoration of independence under which Georgia had not engaged in war.

“The past three years were particularly challenging, as Georgia faced a direct threat of being turned into a second front”, the party said.

“Despite intense pressure and blackmail, the Government handled and continues to handle this challenge with dignity. The public can see that no threats, blackmail, sanctions, or statements can force the Georgian Dream Government to drag the country into the flames of war - a move that would bring devastation to our nation”, the statement continued.

The Political Council further highlighted that the nine-year democratic regression that preceded the Georgian Dream’s rule “was replaced with sustained democratic progress”, stressing that “it ended an authoritarian regime, abolished an undemocratic constitution, stopped election rigging, torture, and inhumane treatment, and put an end to business racketeering and media monopolisation”.

The statement also pointed to current guarantees of human rights, free and fair elections, judicial independence, media pluralism, and unprecedented economic freedom in Georgia.

“Georgia is now on the right path toward economic development, having tripled its economy since 2012, despite global and regional crises. In the last four years alone, Georgia’s economy grew by an average of 9.7 percent annually - one of the highest growth rates in the region and Europe”, the ruling party said.

“Per IMF projections, Georgia’s GDP per capita is expected to exceed $10,000 USD this year and reach $13,500 by 2030, placing the country among high-income nations. The national debt has dropped from 60 percent to 36.4 percent, and poverty has been reduced threefold, lifting around 700,000 people out of poverty, according to World Bank data”, the statement noted.

The Georgian Dream party stressed that it had transformed its approach to social policy, introducing a universal healthcare program, expanding social assistance for vulnerable groups, and eliminating politically motivated distribution of aid.

In terms of Euro-Atlantic integration, the statement added that under the Georgian Dream party, Georgia had signed the Association and Free Trade Agreements with the EU and had achieved visa-free travel with the Schengen Area.

The party further claimed credit for securing EU candidate status - despite what it described as efforts by “ill-wishers” and “European bureaucracy” to use the status as a tool for blackmail.

“Despite ongoing challenges and alleged pressure from EU institutions seeking to bring undemocratic forces back to power in Georgia, we assure the public that our political team will face every challenge with dignity. By 2030, Georgia will be better prepared for the announced EU enlargement than any other candidate country”, the party said.

“We also hope that by then, the current Brussels bureaucracy will be replaced by a worthy, independent, and future-oriented political elite”, the statement continued.

The Political Council concluded by asserting that Georgia was more independent and sovereign than ever before.

“No one can dictate decisions to this Government that run counter to our national interests. Georgian Dream will never compromise on Georgia’s interests and will continue to unwaveringly protect our homeland, the Church, and our national values”, the party said.