Irakli Kobakhidze, the candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Georgia, on Thursday credited Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and the current honorary chair of the GD, for country’s “democratic achievements” since 2012, in his parliamentary address before the vote on his cabinet. 

In his address, Kobakhidze who chaired the GD over the past several years, recalled the “dire state of affairs” before 2012, characterized by “authoritarianism, electoral fraud, corruption, and egregious human rights violations”, including the “handover” of the country’s currently occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions to Russia in 2008 “by the previous United National Movement Government” through “not preventing” the conflict. 

In contrast, Kobakhidze credited Ivanishvili - labeled as a shadow ruler by the domestic opposition - for “ending this era of repression and ushering in a new era characterized by democracy, peace, and economic progress” He lauded Ivanishvili's “philanthropic endeavors” aimed at “revitalizing Georgian culture and spirituality, which laid the groundwork for the country's democratic transition”. 

He stressed the winning of the GD under Ivanishvili had led to “remarkable economic growth, despite facing global and regional economic crises”.  “The introduction of social security packages, including a universal healthcare program and expanded social assistance, significantly improved the well-being of the population”, he asserted. 

Moreover, Kobakhidze highlighted Ivanishvili's role in steering Georgia towards European integration and noted the signing of association and free trade agreements with the European Union, the attainment of visa-free travel status, and the recent designation as a candidate country for EU membership.