Georgian PM highlights Bidzina Ivanishvili’s role in Georgia’s modern history as “irreplaceable”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday issued a congratulatory message to the Honorary Chair of the Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

In a lengthy statement, the Prime Minister hailed Ivanishvili’s role in Georgia’s modern history as “irreplaceable”, crediting him with rescuing the nation from a period of democratic backsliding and external interference.

Kobakhidze emphasised that Ivanishvili entered politics in 2011 at a time when democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity were “trampled upon”. He noted that through Ivanishvili's leadership, the country transitioned from a government managed from abroad to one that prioritises national sovereignty.

“I congratulate Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili on his 70th birthday! His role in the recent history of our country is irreplaceable. In an exceptionally difficult time for Georgia, when democracy, rule of law, human dignity, freedom of business, property rights, freedom of the media and other supreme values ​​were trampled upon, when the Government controlled from outside posed a constant threat to the country's security, Bidzina Ivanishvili brought about a turning point in the life of the country and the state. Democracy and the rule of law were established in Georgia; business freedom and media pluralism were restored; the first Government after the restoration of independence came to power, under which the country did not have a war; the country's economy and budget grew fourfold; Georgia regained independence and state sovereignty”, the FM said.

“In 2012, under a criminal regime, a man with a lot to lose, at great personal risk, transformed the life of the country. He put aside his own personal safety and well-being and literally sacrificed himself to save Georgia from the criminal rule of a foreign agency. Only a person with a special love for his homeland could take such a step. Along with patriotism, changing a criminal regime supported from the outside required special wisdom and intelligence. In 2011, no one believed that changing the regime through elections was possible under the conditions of complete violation of democracy and the rule of law. However, what everyone thought was impossible, Bidzina Ivanishvili made possible through grandmaster calculations and moves”, he continued.

He further added that maintaining peace, continued rapid economic growth, and fundamentally strengthening the country's independence and sovereignty over the past 4 years was the merit of Bidzina Ivanishvili.

“Saving Georgia after 2022 from the kind of developments that created existential problems for Ukraine required exactly the same exceptional love for the country and wisdom. In this case, too, confronting the severe pressure and blackmail directed against our country and Bidzina Ivanishvili personally required, on the one hand, a special love and devotion to the homeland and, on the other hand, distinguished wisdom and intellect. The fact that during this most difficult period over the past four years, Georgia maintained peace, continued rapid economic growth, and fundamentally strengthened its independence and sovereignty is precisely the merit of Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili”, Kobakhidze noted.

He further expressed confidence that under the leadership of Ivanishvili, the ruling team would continue to achieve great successes for the benefit of the country.

“Bidzina Ivanishvili established a culture of patient work in Georgian politics, the lack of which caused our country to make numerous mistakes after the restoration of independence. I am confident that under the leadership of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the ruling team will continue to achieve great successes for the benefit of Georgia. I congratulate Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili on his anniversary once again, and wish him longevity and the fulfillment of all his goals”, he concluded.