The ruling Georgian Dream party MP Mamuka Mdinaradze says that the opposition and the opposition-minded TV channels are misinterpreting sections from the history textbook for ninth graders on modern Georgian history. 

The opposition claims that the textbook, which also includes a section on the founder of the ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili, describing him as ‘philanthropist,’ is propagandist. 

They say that the textbook accuses the former United National Movement leadership of unleashing the 2008 August war. 

Mdinaradze says that the opposition allegations are ‘groundless,’ and that the book does not say that Georgia began the war. 

“When you read a phrase in a book that Georgia sent armed forces in its own territory in 2008 and interpret this as if Georgia began the war, it is incorrect and damaging for state interests.

The UNM actually said this when they supported the resolution after the war which stated that Georgia began the war. By supporting that resolution  the UNM accused the country, its military of what they did not do,” Mdinaradze said. 

He also stated that the textbook includes information on all leaders, on Ivanishvili and Saakashvili among them, and ‘it is surprising why the opposition is offended… Isn’t Ivanishvili a philanthropist?’ 

The opposition has plans to demand the removal of sections on Ivanishvili from the book. They say that the book is of the ‘communist style.’ 

The Education Ministry, however, dismisses the allegations and says that the book describes modern history of Georgia without making any assessments.