Ex-PM, ruling party chair, vows visits to regions to secure “constitutional majority” in elections

Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, now serving as the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, unveiled plans on Thursday to embark on a tour of 10 regions within 100 days, commencing in March, with the aim to secure a “constitutional majority” of at least 113 seats in the 150-member parliament in the October general elections.

During his inaugural briefing in his new role, Garibashvili criticized President Salome Zourabichvili for her attendance at the Munich Security Conference without prior governmental approval. He also admonished Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the Lelo opposition party, for “issuing threats” to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the GD founder and its honorary chair, in an attempt to “coerce him into returning to Russia” after the elections.

Garibashvili accused Zourabichvili of betraying the nation’s interests by “purportedly obstructing” Georgia’s European integration efforts and aligning with the “radical agenda” of the opposition United National Movement. He further criticized her for what he labeled as repeated breaches of the country’s constitution through unauthorized foreign trips.

Regarding Khazaradze, a co-founder of TBC Bank, Garibashvili referred to him as a “convicted criminal” following his 2022 conviction for fraud. Garibashvili argued that Khazaradze lacked moral authority to issue threats to Ivanishvili, crediting Ivanishvili with “rescuing the nation” from what he described as the neo-fascist rule of the UNM and ensuring its economic well-being.

Additionally, Garibashvili dismissed allegations of corruption and illegal decision-making leveled against his administration by the opposition, denying reports of his entourage being summoned for questioning.