Opposition slams Ivanishvili for “dismissing” Russian responsibility in 2008 War

Beka Liluashvili, a member of the opposition party Gakharia for Georgia, on Monday criticized Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, for his recent statements over the 2008 war, claiming he had “dismissed” Moscow’s responsibility in the conflict.

Liluashvili contended the position “undermined” the core of the bilateral process needed for reconciliation and argued that a “clear, unified stance is essential, acknowledging Russia as the principal party responsible for Georgia’s occupation”.

He also criticized the GD for prioritizing “electoral survival over addressing the real issues”, suggesting that the party’s statements were designed to secure “a few additional votes” in the October general elections.

In his pre-election address in central Gori on the weekend, Ivanishvili accused the former Georgian authorities, the United National Movement, of “unleashing” the 2008 war “in line with instructions from abroad”.