Shalva Natelashvili, leader of the Labour Party, has urgently called on the West, particularly the European Union, to impose comprehensive sanctions on ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili in response to what he described as a “geopolitical catastrophe” following Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections.
He accused Ivanishvili of orchestrating a special electoral operation in collaboration with the Kremlin, which has allowed the Georgian Dream party to maintain power—an entity Natelashvili characterized as an “occupational branch” of Russian influence in Georgia.
“The Kremlin conducted a special electoral operation, managed by oligarch Ivanishvili, which has resulted in the continued hold on power by the Georgian Dream party, an occupational branch in Georgia. This Georgian Dream has ultimately put an end to the Georgian people’s dream of European integration. And now, we have figures like Lebedev in Moscow and Dugin in the Kremlin calling on us to return to the CIS. What greater misfortune could have happened today?” Natelashvili stressed.
He urged the EU to finalize the sanctions process initiated by the Labour Party, advocating for a full asset blockade against Ivanishvili, his family, close associates, ministers, and all deputies from the Georgian Dream. He implored the opposition not to enable Ivanishvili’s continued influence, referencing previous failures to counter his political maneuvers effectively.
“Friends, do not be sad. We will carry this struggle to the end, where Georgia will thrive,” Natelashvili concluded, reaffirming his commitment to fighting for the country’s democratic future.
