Opposition Voices Concerns Over Bidzina Ivanishvili's Political Comeback
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, January 5, 2024
Giorgi Gakharia, the former Prime Minister of Georgia, whom Ivanishvili accused of betraying the country in his return announcement speech, briefly responded by saying that Ivanishvili's 'excuses were weak.'
"Good to see Ivanishvili finally managed to come out of his hiding. Excuses were weak. Challenge accepted. Happy New Year!" Gakharia wrote on X.
Lelo party leader Mamuka Khazaradze responded by expressing skepticism about Bidzina Ivanishvili's ability to lead the country into the European Union if he is sanctioned by European partners. Khazaradze emphasized that Ivanishvili's association with a 'Russian party' could be an obstacle to the country's European aspirations.
"Today, Ivanishvili admitted that he is sanctioned by America and Europe and also acknowledged being a shadow ruler. If Ivanishvili is sanctioned by our European partners, then how does he plan to lead our country into the European Union with his Russian party?! It was the gathering of the defeated party, an action taken by the fearful Bidzina, who received an order from Putin. This is precisely why Russian politics will end in Georgia in 2024, and this is exactly why we will emerge victorious alongside the Georgian people," Khazaradze stated.
Nika Melia, former Chairman of United National movement, responded to Ivanishvili's return by predicting his public 'defeat' in 2024 and emphasized that the real catalyst for change lies in the will of the people influencing politics, rather than engaging in financial or backstage power struggles.
"In 2024, Ivanishvili's defeat will be public, and it won't be Gharibashvili, Kobakhidze, or Papuashvili who will be defeated. Instead, it will be the creator of this vicious political system, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who will not transition from one behind-the-scenes role to another, perpetuating shadow management.
However, in this process, everyone should understand and recognize their own responsibility. Change will happen only through the will of the people, reflected in politics, not through a confrontation of money against money, one backstage against another backstage. Today, the most potent weapon in the fight to dismantle the vicious system is the truth-creating the right perspective for the future, implementing it, and taking public responsibility for the processes," Melia wrote.
According to Roman Gotsiridze, an opposition member of the Parliament of Georgia, by returning to politics, Bidzina Ivanishvili has not shed the label of an informal ruler.
"Did the appointment of Bidzina Ivanishvili as an 'advisor' merely shift informal, oligarchic governance to solely oligarchic, or did it effectively eliminate the informal label? No, of course not. Firstly, he doesn't hold any official position in the party and is not involved in decision-making. Secondly, even if he were the party chairman, he would have no authority to interfere in the day-to-day operations of the constitutional bodies. So let's refrain from legitimizing his return to politics by stating that he is officially back," Gotsiridze stated.
