Ruling GD’s Garibashvili blames UNM for August 2008 war

Irakli Garibashvili, Chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, has accused the opposition United National Movement (UNM) of betraying Georgia during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war. Speaking at an election campaign event in Rustavi, southeastern Georgia, Garibashvili claimed that the previous UNM government, led by then-President Mikheil Saakashvili, deliberately failed to prevent the conflict, causing lasting damage to the country.

“The primary crime of Saakashvili and his criminal gang is their role in the August 2008 war. They purposefully and knowingly did not avoid the war, leading to further occupation of Georgian territories, tens of thousands of displaced citizens, over 100 lost villages, and the deaths of our heroes. This is an unforgivable betrayal that the Georgian people will never forget,” he emphasized.

Garibashvili contrasted his party’s leadership over the past 12 years with the UNM’s time in power, highlighting the peace and stability achieved under Georgian Dream’s rule.

“For 12 years, there has been no war, and we haven’t lost additional territories. Bidzina Ivanishvili is the only leader under whom we have achieved this uninterrupted peace,” Garibashvili said, referring to the party’s founder and Honorary Chair, Bidzina Ivanishvili.

He also accused the UNM of seeking to drag Georgia into another war for their own political gain.

“Even now, years later, the UNM hasn’t changed its ways. They are still trying to involve our country in conflict, risking the lives of our citizens and the future of our nation, just as they did before. This is the continuation of their treacherous policies… The ‘collective United National Movement,’ or the party of war and evil, along with its satellite parties, coalitions, NGOs, and entire network of agents, opposes peace and any peace initiative that could bring us closer to the reunification of the country,” he added.

Garibashvili reaffirmed Georgian Dream’s commitment to the peaceful reunification of Georgia’s occupied territories, emphasizing that war is not the solution. He described the party’s approach as one of “strategic patience,” which he believes will lead to reunification without further conflict.

“The last 12 years have been the only period in our history without war, and we have maintained all remaining territories intact,” he noted.

In his address, Garibashvili urged Georgian citizens to support the ruling party in the upcoming elections, framing the choice as one between peace and the chaos of the past.

“On October 26, we must fulfill our duty to our homeland and stand on the side of peace and truth,” he stated, expressing confidence in Georgian Dream’s continued leadership and progress toward uniting the country.

He concluded by calling on voters to reject the opposition’s alleged warmongering and promised that, instead, Georgians will live in a “united, strong, peaceful, and free European state.”