Ex-Pres Saakashvili claims he avoided using force against Ivanishvili to prevent 'dictatorship'

Georgia’s former President Mikheil Saakashvili has defended his approach during the 2011–2012 election period, saying he deliberately avoided using force to stop Bidzina Ivanishvili’s rise to power, claiming such a move would have amounted to dictatorship.

In a post on social media on Thursday, Saakashvili said critics now question why he did not act more aggressively when he believed Ivanishvili posed a threat to the country.

“I did everything during the campaign to explain to people what awaited them if Ivanishvili were elected,” he wrote.

Saakashvili said that using heavier-handed measures against his political rival would have made him resemble what he described as Ivanishvili’s governing style.

“Preventing him by other methods would have meant becoming like him and establishing a dictatorship,” he said. “We are radically different - he has zero empathy toward people, and I love the people.”

Saakashvili previously served two terms as president before leaving office in 2013. He has been imprisoned in Georgia since 2021 on charges he maintains are politically motivated.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has consistently rejected claims by Saakashvili and his supporters of undemocratic governance under Ivanishvili.