Bidzina Ivanishvili vows to ban opposition parties following election victory

Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, declared that if the party secures a constitutional majority in the upcoming elections on October 26, they will take legal action against the opposition United National Movement (UNM) and its allied or successor parties. Speaking at a regional campaign event in Kutaisi, Ivanishvili emphasized the fundamental importance of the upcoming elections, likening them to the pivotal 2012 elections that saw the rise of the GD government.

He framed the October 26 election as a referendum on the nation’s future direction, saying, “On October 26, our country faces a day of fundamental importance… Georgia’s population will vote not for war, but for peace; not for pseudo-liberal imposed values, but for family values, faith, and traditions; not for unconditional obedience to foreign nations, but for sovereignty and independence.”

Ivanishvili stressed that obtaining a constitutional majority is crucial for ensuring long-term peace and stability. He warned that such a majority would prevent the opposition, particularly the UNM, from returning to power through revolutionary means and dragging Georgia into conflict.

“After securing the constitutional majority, we will outlaw and hold accountable the United National Movement and its satellite or successor parties, including for war crimes committed against our own people,” Ivanishvili declared.