Georgian PM praises Bidzina Ivanishvili for “liberating” country from authoritarian rule

Prime Minister of Georgia and Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Kobakhidze, paid tribute to the party’s founder and honorary chairman, Bidzina Ivanishvili, during the launch of the party’s election campaign and the presentation of its Tbilisi mayoral candidate on July 31.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze credited Ivanishvili with freeing Georgia from what he called “severe, externally controlled authoritarianism” in 2012 and placing the country on a path of stable development.

“I would like to once again greet Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili, who in 2012 liberated Georgia from harsh authoritarian rule directed from outside and set our country on the right course of development,” Kobakhidze said.

According to the Prime Minister, Georgia has enjoyed 13 years of uninterrupted peace under Ivanishvili’s influence, adding that the country's sovereignty and independence are now stronger than ever. He also highlighted Georgia’s leading economic growth rate in Europe over the past five years.

“All of this is thanks to Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili. I want to express my deepest gratitude to him once again, together with all of you,” Kobakhidze concluded.