Ivanishvili says Gakharia is a traitor

Founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili, who left Georgian politics for the second time back in January 2021, has responded to media reports that the new political party founded by ex-PM Giorgi Gakharia is affiliated with him. 

According to Ivanishvili, the reports are ‘fake’ and are ‘attempts’ to again connect his name with political issues. 

He stated that creating satellite, pseudo-opposition parties was a common practice under the previous, United National Movement government. 

"I have never thought of creating such a party while I was in politics and now, when I have left politics, I would never think to act in such an unacceptable way," Ivanishvili said. 

He stated that any political cooperation with Gakharia would have been unacceptable for him. 

Ivanishvili said that Gakharia ‘betrayed the ruling party and the Georgian state’ when he resigned in February 2021 with the reason that he was against the detention of opposition leader Nika Melia that time. 

"He resigned with the reason that he was against the rule of law and the enforcement of the law. His decision to resign was also unreal because several days before resignation Gakharia was demanding the suspension of MP status for Melia (to allow the court to detain him)," Ivanishvili said. 

Ivanishvili stated that he was ‘deeply disappointed’ by Gakkharia. However, he said that Gakharia’s resignation caused no political crisis in the government ‘as some people forecasted this.’ 

 He stated that the current ‘progressive and qualified government’ managed to overcome challenges and further strengthen state institutions. 

"Unlike other parties, for instance the United National Movement opposition party, the ruling Georgian Dream party is not dependent on leaders," Agenda.ge cited Ivanishvili as saying.

Last week the new head of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze accused Gakharia and the opposition United National Movement party of planning an alleged coup in February 2021.  Gakharia’s party For Georgia has demanded ‘an immediate investigation’ of the allegations.