Ex-Pres Saakashvili marks 22nd anniversary of Rose Revolution, says ‘losers can't defeat us’

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Sunday marked the 22nd anniversary of Georgia’s Rose Revolution with a statement calling for political change and urging the public to defeat ruling party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, whom he accused of undermining the country’s democratic achievements.

Saakashvili argued that the Rose Revolution brought transformative reforms, modern infrastructure and anti-corruption policies, while today’s Government was dismantling those accomplishments. He said the legacy of 2003 created a new, freedom-oriented generation and positioned Georgia as a “global success story”.

He claimed that today’s political challenges threatened national identity, memory and democratic institutions, but expressed confidence that the current public movement, larger than the protests of 2003, could bring change despite what he described as the ruling party’s financial and external support advantages.

“Losers cannot take root, losers cannot defeat us. Glory to the 22nd anniversary of the Rose Revolution! Glory to freedom!” Saakashvili said.