October 1 marks turning point in Georgia’s recent history, ruling party majority leader

Georgian Dream parliamentary majority leader Irakli Kirtskhalia has described October 1, 2012, as a turning point in Georgia’s recent history, saying the date represented more than an electoral victory for his political team.

In a social media post marking the 14th anniversary of the parliamentary elections, Kirtskhalia said the country had united around a national idea under the leadership of Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili 14 years ago.

“October 1 is not only a date of victory for our political team. It is a day that we regard as a turning point in Georgia’s recent history,” Kirtskhalia wrote.

He credited Ivanishvili’s “personal responsibility, dedication, principles and leadership” with creating the conditions for political change to take place through elections.

The MP stressed Ivanishvili’s role in Georgian Dream did not begin on October 1, 2012, and he linked the party’s current political course to what he described as the protection of Georgia’s sovereignty, peace and national interests.

Kirtskhalia also thanked those who voted for Georgian Dream in 2012, as well as the party’s members and supporters.

“October 1 reminds us where this path began. Fourteen years later, our responsibility is to continue this path to protect Georgia’s peace, sovereignty and national interests,” he said.