Ruling party head: gov’t respects all partners but makes “sovereign decisions” in “best interests” of country

Irakli Kobakhidze, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the Georgian government respected its international partners but was making “sovereign decisions in the best interests” of the country and its citizens.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze summarised the 10th anniversary of the ruling Georgian Dream party being in power - the date marked on Saturday - by saying a “fundamental change” had occurred in the country “in democratic development and all other areas” since 2012.

Three days ago was the tenth anniversary since the Georgian Dream party delivered a decisive victory [in elections] on October 1, 2012. At that time, under the leadership of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Georgian people made a principled decision to make a change in the political processes and the development of our democratic system”, he noted.

“You remember that the harshest, criminal, authoritarian regime had been established in Georgia [at that time], for which violations of human dignity and rights were practically a daily practice”, the GD official said. 

Kobakhidze said “supreme values” had been “trampled” during the United National Movement government, with “torture, inhumane treatment, overcrowded prisons” being a “signature” of the ruling party.

I will highlight one important achievement - we have had 10 years of peace and [...] 10 years of sovereignty. We respect all partners, but we make sovereign decisions in the best interests of our country and people. Of course, this is how our policy will continue”, he added.

In conclusion to his comments, Kobakhidze thanked Ivanishvili for his “special contribution to the transition” and also expressed gratitude “to the Georgian people”. 

Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Saturday said October 1, 2012, was the “most important” date in the history of modern Georgia, marking the date when the Georgian Dream party, “together with the citizens of Georgia”, replaced the government for the first time through democratic elections.