Ivanishvili helped strengthen Georgia’s state institutions before 2008 war, PM Kobakhidze

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said the ruling Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili had helped strengthen Georgia’s state institutions, including the military, police and public administration, before the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

Speaking to journalists in response to recent remarks by opposition politician Nika Gvaramia, Kobakhidze said Ivanishvili had supported the development of state institutions and contributed to preventing corruption in the public sector.

He said Ivanishvili had also subsidised public servants’ salaries and funded equipment and uniforms for soldiers at a time when the military lacked basic resources.

“ Ivanishvili was helping the state before 2008, strengthening the resources of the military and police and contributing to the prevention of corruption in public service. He was serving the cause of strengthening the state, but the government of the time failed to appreciate this,” Kobakhidze said.

The PM accused the former government of failing to recognise Ivanishvili’s contribution, alleging that it subsequently rigged elections and led the country into war.

Kobakhidze said these developments prompted Ivanishvili to distance himself from processes associated with the government.

He rejected suggestions that Ivanishvili’s support for soldiers and public servants amounted to assistance to the former United National Movement government, arguing that it was instead aimed at strengthening state institutions.

“When Ivanishvili was buying clothes and uniforms for soldiers because the army did not have them, that was not helping the United National Movement. It was strengthening state institutions,” Kobakhidze said.