At a regional campaign rally in Gori, Shida Kartli, Georgian Prime Minister and head of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s election campaign, Irakli Kobakhidze, delivered a powerful speech emphasizing national unity and resilience. He highlighted Georgia’s ability to withstand challenges over the past 3,000 years, crediting the nation’s survival to its people’s unwavering unity in defense of their homeland, language, and faith. Kobakhidze’s remarks were a central part of GD’s broader campaign strategy ahead of the pivotal October 26 election.
In his speech, Kobakhidze underscored the historical and emotional significance of Shida Kartli, a region deeply impacted by past conflicts, particularly the 2008 war with Russia. He emphasized the suffering endured by the region’s residents, blaming the previous government’s actions during the conflict, which he described as a “treacherous crime.”
Framing the upcoming election as a defining moment, Kobakhidze called it a “referendum” on Georgia’s future, one that will decide whether the country opts for “war or peace.” He assured the audience that the GD government, unlike its predecessors, has safeguarded peace for 12 years and will continue prioritizing the nation’s stability and development.
“Who better than the people of Shida Kartli knows the true cost of peace? You’ve borne the heaviest pain from the 2008 war—a pain inflicted by the treachery of the previous regime. I am confident that on October 26, Kartli will decisively reject war and choose peace, which is essential for Georgia’s future development and progress,” Kobakhidze said.
He also framed the October 26 vote as a choice between traditional values and what he referred to as “immoral propaganda,” encouraging voters to stand by their principles.
“The Georgian people must also choose between immoral propaganda and traditional values. I am confident that, just as you will choose peace, Kartli will reject any attempt to undermine human dignity and will firmly stand by our traditional values,” he added.
Kobakhidze stressed that maintaining national unity and peace is the only path to securing Georgia’s place in the European family. He reiterated that Georgia’s European future depends on continuing the GD-led trajectory of peace, dignity, and prosperity.
Reflecting on the GD government’s achievements, Kobakhidze criticized the previous regime for its “legacy of violence, corruption, and human rights abuses.” He highlighted GD’s success in ending systemic citizen abuse, reducing the prison population, and fostering economic growth and media freedom. He noted that Georgia’s GDP has tripled since 2012 and is projected to reach 90 billion GEL by the end of the year, compared to 28 billion GEL when GD took power.
“The progress of the past 12 years is the direct result of Georgian Dream’s democratic transformation. I want to once again express my deepest gratitude to the man who led this transformation—Bidzina Ivanishvili. His leadership ended the bloody regime and set our country on a path to democracy and stability. Thanks to him, Georgia has enjoyed 12 years of uninterrupted peace and remarkable economic growth,” Kobakhidze said, referencing the GD founder and Honorary Chair, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Looking forward, Kobakhidze promised that GD would continue its efforts to reduce poverty and unemployment, calling it one of the nation’s most pressing challenges. He pointed out that Georgia has halved its unemployment rate and lifted 680,000 citizens out of poverty under GD’s governance. He vowed that if GD retains power, the economy will grow by tens of billions of GEL over the next four years, and the national budget will expand significantly.
In closing, Kobakhidze once again called for unity and peace as the foundation for Georgia’s future.
“Throughout our history, Georgia has faced countless challenges. But whenever our people and our church stood united, whenever we defended our homeland, language, and faith together, no one could defeat us. No one will defeat us on October 26 either.”
“October 26 is our day, and on that day, Georgian Dream will triumph! On October 26, Georgia will win!” Kobakhidze concluded.
