Georgia’s Parliament Speaker credits ruling power for peace, economic growth amidst turmoil

Shalva Papuashvili, a member of the political council of the ruling Georgian Dream party and the chairman of the parliament, on Friday emphasized the country’s stability and economic success in the face of regional turmoil. “Today, we are the only island of peace in the region engulfed in flames, and we have the highest economic growth rates in Europe,” he claimed. 

With the upcoming October 26 general elections, Papuashvili stressed the simplicity of the citizens’ choice, contrasting Georgian Dream’s policies with those of the opposition. He criticized the opposition’s shifting stance on the government’s policy of not imposing sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, pointing out their recent advocacy for trade with Russia, despite previous aggressive rhetoric.

Papuashvili accused the opposition of hypocrisy and opportunism, citing their demands for military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. He argued that the actions would have dragged Georgia into the conflict, leading to severe economic and potentially military consequences.

He further highlighted the opposition’s history of urging actions that could destabilize Georgia, such as imposing a visa regime on Russian citizens and banning direct flights to Russia. Papuashvili noted that “despite external and internal pressures, Georgian Dream’s policies have kept the country peaceful and economically strong”.

Papuashvili concluded by emphasizing “the clear choice facing voters”. He stressed the choice was “between war and peace, destruction and progress, the war party and the peace party.”