Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia ქართული ოცნება – დემოკრატიული საქართველო | |
---|---|
Chairman | Irakli Kobakhidze |
Secretary-General | Kakha Kaladze |
Honorary Chairman | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
Executive Secretary | Mamuka Mdinaradze |
Political Secretary | Irakli Gharibashvili |
Regional Secretary | Dimitri Samkharadze |
Founder | Bidzina Ivanishvili |
Founded | 21 April 2012 |
Headquarters | Tbilisi |
Ideology | |
Political position | Syncretic[5] |
European affiliation | Party of European Socialists (2015–2023)[6] |
International affiliation | Progressive Alliance[7] |
Colours | |
Slogan | თავისუფლება, სწრაფი განვითარება, კეთილდღეობა ("Freedom, Rapid Development, Welfare") |
Seats In Parliament | 74 / 150 |
Municipal Councilors | 1,359 / 2,068 |
Seats In Supreme Council of Adjara | 14 / 21 |
Seats In Tbilisi City Assembly | 29 / 50 |
Seats In Kutaisi City Assembly | 18 / 35 |
Seats In Batumi City Assembly | 17 / 35 |
Municipal Mayors | 63 / 64 |
Website | |
gd | |
Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia (Georgian: ქართული ოცნება – დემოკრატიული საქართველო, romanized: kartuli otsneba – demok'rat'iuli sakartvelo) is a political party in Georgia. The party was established on 19 April 2012 by the billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili.[8] Georgian Dream and its partners in a coalition also named Georgian Dream won majorities in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 general elections. The party is currently led by Irakli Kobakhidze as Party Chairman and Irakli Garibashvili as Prime Minister.
History
The party evolved from the public movement Georgian Dream, launched by Bidzina Ivanishvili as a platform for his political activities in December 2011. Since Ivanishvili was not a Georgian citizen at the moment of the party's inaugural session, the lawyer Manana Kobakhidze was elected as an interim, nominal chairman of the Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia. The party also includes several notable Georgians such as the former diplomat Tedo Japaridze, chess grandmaster Zurab Azmaiparashvili, security commentator Irakli Sesiashvili, writer Guram Odisharia and famed footballer Kakha Kaladze.[9][10]
United National Movement of Mikheil Saakashvili, which ruled Georgia for a decade before the creation of Georgia Dream, suffered several blows to its reputation. The UNM, known for its neoliberal economic policy, extremely punitive criminal justice system and confrontational approach to Russia, became increasingly unpopular prior to 2012 parliamentary elections. The regime was described as "an extremely punitive and abusive criminal justice, law-and-order system, which ended up with the highest per capita prison population in Europe – even higher than in Russia – in which torture became absolutely routine... Almost zero acquittal cases in criminal trials, mass surveillance, telephone tapping, and a lot of pressure put on businessmen, including intimidation, so they contribute to government projects."[11] The events such as violent dispersal of 2007 and 2011 Georgian demonstrations, 2012 Gldani prison scandal involving revelations about systemic torture of inmates in Georgian prisons, 2006 Sandro Girgvliani murder case and loss of territories in 2008 Russo-Georgian War contributed to the party's increasing loss of support among general population. However, before Georgian Dream, no other party managed to unite opposition and mobilize popular support. In April 2012, Georgian Dream became a political party, and staged several mass demonstrations against the Saakashvili government. On 21 February 2012, Ivanishvili announced a coalition by the name of Georgian Dream, composed of his planned political party of the same name, the Republican Party of Georgia, Our Georgia – Free Democrats, and the National Forum. Bidzina Ivanishvili, a businessman primarily known for charity and his vast contributions to public projects, became a leader of the united opposition movement. The Georgian Dream successfully challenged the ruling United National Movement (UNM) in the 2012 parliamentary election, pledging to increase welfare spending and pursue a more pragmatic foreign policy with Russia.[9][12] It won this election in coalition with six other opposition parties, with 54.97% of the vote, being allotted 85 seats in parliament.[8] The governing UNM took 40.34%. President Mikheil Saakashvili conceded that his party lost, and pledged to support the constitutional process of forming a new government.[13]
On 25 October 2012, Bidzina Ivanishvili was elected as the prime minister of Georgia. During this period, the State Universal Healthcare Program came into force (making emergency surgeries and childbirth free of charge), the reform of the system of self-governance was initiated and the project on saving agriculture was developed. In November 2013, Ivanishvili voluntarily stepped down as prime minister after just 13 months in office, saying that he was quitting the political arena.
In October 2013, Giorgi Margvelashvili, a member of the Georgian Dream party, won the presidential election, gaining 61.12% of the vote.[14] He succeeded President Mikheil Saakashvili, who had served the maximum two terms since coming to power in the bloodless 2003 "Rose Revolution".
In April 2018 senior MP Gedevan Popkhadze threatened to quit the party for its endorsement of an opposition-nominated candidate, journalist Ninia Kakabadze to the supervisory board of the Georgian Public Broadcaster.[15] Popkhadze criticized Kakabadze for being anti-religious. The incident is seen as an internal conflict between long-time GD members which joined the party while it was in opposition and a new group of members who were installed in high positions prior to the 2016 parliamentary elections. The news agency Democracy and Freedom Watch related the incident to the return of Bidzina Ivanishvili as chairman of the party later that month, which furthermore was perceived as a move to maintain the unity of the coalition.[16]
In August 2018, Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the party would not nominate a candidate for the 2018 presidential elections. Instead it would support the independent candidate Salome Zourabichvili.
In late 2019, Facebook publicly announced that it removed from Facebook and Instagram a number of accounts and pages engaged in coordinated inauthentic behavior that sought to promote the Georgian Dream government.[17] Analysts said that although Georgian Dream suffered a dip in popularity in the aftermath of the 2019 Georgian protests,[18][19][20][21] its relatively successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a boost in popularity, which helped it to secure victory in the 2020 parliamentary election. However, accusations of electoral fraud by the Georgian opposition subsequently led to the six-month political crisis in Georgia.[22]
On 11 January 2021, shortly after the election, Ivanishvili announced that he was decisively leaving politics and resigned as Chairman of Georgian Dream, stating that "he had accomplished his goal". Irakli Kobakhidze was elected as a new chairman of the party.[23]
In February 2021, the Georgian Dream underwent split following Giorgi Gakharia's unexpected resignation from the post of Prime Minister of Georgia. Gakharia cited disagreement with his party colleagues over enforcing an arrest order for Nika Melia, who was sent to pre-trial detention by the Court after he declined to pay bail. Melia, chairman of the opposition United National Movement party, was accused of organizing mass violence during the anti-government protests in 2019. Although Gakharia agreed that Melia's prosecution was lawful, he wanted to postpone Melia's arrest to avoid further political tensions between the government and the opposition. Gakharia also said that he no longer agreed with the positions of the Georgian Dream and he therefore was leaving the party.[24] Several MPs from Georgian Dream joined him to form a new party For Georgia.[25] The Georgian Dream party supported Irakli Garibashvili to replace Gakharia, and the Parliament voted 89–2 to appoint him as the next prime minister. Garibashvili had an earlier term as prime minister in 2013–2015.
Even though the government and the opposition worked to bring an end to the political crisis in April 2021, the tensions remained high. In tense 2021 Georgian local elections, the Georgian Dream managed to secure victory, gaining 46.75% of the vote. The mayoral candidates of the Georgian Dream won in all municipalities except Tsalenjikha. However, the party lost majority in seven out of 64 municipal assemblies.[26]
During the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War, the Georgian Dream government has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and sheltered Ukrainian refugees, while supporting Ukraine at diplomatic forum. However, it did not join financial and economic sanctions imposed on Russia by several Western countries and did not provide military assistance to Ukraine. Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chair of Foreign Relations Committee of Georgian Parliament in interview to Vice stated that "Georgia is the most exposed country in the world to the Russian aggression. The Russian troops are stationed 30 kilometers away from where we are sitting right now, from the heart of the Tbilisi. So, in this circumstances, I think Georgia is punching above its weight when it supports Ukraine at diplomatic forum, politically and also in humanitarian dimension".
On 25 February 2022, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that Georgia would not join sanctions against Russia due to pragmatic considerations, as doing so would hurt the country's economy and might lead to escalation and war with Russia. The relations with the political leadership of the European Union worsened in the following months. In June 2022, the European Parliament adopted a six-page resolution calling the European Council to impose personal sanctions on the founder of the Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili, accusing him of "determining the position of the current Government of Georgia towards sanctions on Russia". In August 2022, several MPs left Georgian Dream to establish the People's Power movement, with a goal of speaking more openly about the European Union's involvement in the Georgian politics. The movement accused the European Union and the United States of America of violating Georgia's sovereignty and pressuring Georgia to open "second front" against Russia. According to the movement, a number of Georgian political parties (including the largest opposition party, United National Movement) and NGOs are "American agents" who work to overthrow the Government of Georgia and drag the country into the Russo-Ukrainian War.
In October 2022, the Georgian Dream lost parliamentary majority as a result of defections. The People's Power said that it would still support the current government, while the Georgian Dream chairperson Irakli Kobakhidze pledged to cooperate with People's Power on key issues.[27][28][29] In March 2023, the Georgian Dream supported a draft foreign agent law presented by the People's Power movement, which would have labeled civil society and media organizations which receive more than 20% of their total revenue from abroad as "foreign agents". The draft law was criticized by the US State Department, United Nations and European Union. The proposed law caused the 2023 Georgian protests, due to which the parliament suspended further discussions of the bill.[30]
On 11 May 2023, the GD announced it was disaffiliating from the Party of European Socialists, pre-empting possible expulsion. The controversy followed the participation of the Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili in the Conservative Political Action Conference in Hungary, which was criticized by PES.[31]
On 30 December 2023, Bidzina Ivanishvili, declared his return to frontline politics after a hiatus, strategically timed before the 2024 parliamentary elections. In a speech posted online by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, Ivanishvili cited the "complicated" geopolitical situation and criticized the opposition for its perceived failure in holding the government accountable as reasons for his comeback.[32]
Ideology
Like many parties of power, Georgian Dream lacks a clear ideology. The reasons that were given for this range from the party's history as an all-encompassing front of diverse parties opposed to the United National Movement government to the standard opportunism associated with such parties. Levan Lortkipanidze, a political science student at Tbilisi State University, described it as "a party of nomenclature, public servants, 'intelligentsia', medium and large businessmen, and technocrats – a party, which is held together through loyalty to its charismatic leader and the opposition to the government of the 'Rose Revolution.'"[33]
The party has at times self-identified as social democratic. According to the Georgian Institute of Politics, Georgian Dream's economic policy comprises a combination of the pre-existing free market model, created by their predecessors, with a comprehensive centre-left safety net.[34] Its social democratic policies include the introduction of universal healthcare system and a new labour code. However, the party has also professed commitment to "economic openness" and "market-driven growth", implementing both social democratic and neoliberal policies. Due to this, it has been reported that a number of left-wing activists view the party as "ideologically amorphous".[35]
In 2017, the Georgian Dream-led parliament implemented a major constitutional reform. A new constitution made Georgia a parliamentary republic, transitioned Georgia's parliamentary elections to a fully proportional system by 2024 and abolished direct presidential elections. It also contained a number of ideologically diverse provisions. The new amendments adopted several national conservative articles, including a ban on the purchase of agricultural land by foreign nationals and a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.[36] They also adopted several social democratic articles, such as a new article about "social state", which enshrined a number of socio-economic rights in matters of health care, education, employment, and social security. The article also postulated that "the state should take care of strengthening social justice, social equality and social solidarity in the society".[37] The Georgian Dream deputies also supported removing from the constitution a ban on progressive taxes and a requirement to hold referenda to raise corporate and income tax rates, provisions implemented by the former governing United National Movement party of Mikheil Saakashvili. This proposal caused protests from the opposition and as a compromise solution it was announced that the ban would remain in place until 2029.[38] According to professor David Zedelashvili, the leftist groups gave the most support to the Georgian Dream constitutional commission and got the most concessions.[5]
The 2021 study by the Georgian Institute of Politics described the Georgian Dream party as having "rather conservative cultural values along with progressive green values".[39] In 2014, the party passed legislation against discrimination toward LGBT individuals, making Georgia the most LGBT-friendly country in the South Caucasus de jure.[40] At the same time the party's majority opposed same-sex marriage in Georgia and amended the constitution to define marriage as "a union between a woman and a man for the purpose of creating a family."[41] In 2021, the Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili argued against holding the gay parade in Tbilisi, saying that it is against Georgia's predominant Christian traditions and conservative values. Garibashvili also denounced discrimination against LGBT individuals and praised his government for adopting the anti-discrimination law, while noting that "propagandistic parades" only increase discrimination.[42][43] In 2023, the party has denounced "LGBT propaganda among children" and blamed it for increasing number of people who identify as LGBT in the Western countries.[44] Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said that the "imposition of LGBT values" is the "violence of the minority over the majority", adding that "as we protect the rights of the minority, just like that we will also protect the rights of the majority".[45][46] In the words of the party's parliamentary speaker Irakli Kobakhidze "We rest on values such as democracy, rule of law, human rights protection, justice, equality and tolerance, but at the same time, pseudo-liberalism and the forces, which are challenging our national identity, traditions and the Georgian churches, as well as the forces, which are challenging the very same values in the U.S., are unacceptable."[47]
The party supports increasing women's representation in politics and voted in favor of amendments to Georgia's Election Code which introduced gender quotas in Georgia, requiring political parties which participate in elections to include women in every fourth position on their party lists.[48] In 2017, the party voted in favor of the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Georgia.
The party advocates banning old cars for their high levels of carbon emissions and introducing a corporate green tax for businesses that cause environmental pollution.[49]
The biggest rival party is the United National Movement of Mikheil Saakashvili. Therefore, the party's ideology is focused on opposing the UNM and Saakashvili. In this context, political debates often focus on relations with Russia, with both parties accusing each other of 'playing into Moscow's hands'. Social issues are mostly absent from political speeches and debates.[50]
Foreign policy
In the field of foreign policy and security, the Georgian Dream supports the European integration,[51][52] while also taking pragmatic approach to Russia. In December 2020, the Parliament of Georgia, attended only by the representatives of the "Georgian Dream", adopted a resolution declaring integration into the EU and NATO as Georgia's priorities "without alternative". The resolution also talks about strengthening the partnership with the UK, France, the Baltic countries and the Visegrad Group.[53] The document points at the "pragmatic and principled" policy towards Russia.[54] Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that "pragmatic policy with Russia is aimed at avoiding harm to Georgia, its citizens".[55] During the 2012 Georgian parliamentary election campaign the party vowed to restore economic relations with Russia hampered by the 2006 Russian ban of Moldovan and Georgian wines, citing the importance of Russian market for Georgian citizens working in wine industry (Russia was responsible for 80-90% of the total wine exports in Georgia before the ban). At the same time, the party opposed restoring the diplomatic and political ties with Russia until the disputes with Russia over Abkhazia and South Ossetia were solved. The party considers that these conflicts should be solved only through negotiations.[56]
Regarding the Russo-Ukrainian War, the party supported imposing sanctions on Russian-annexed Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014. This measure mirrored Ukraine's restrictions on trade and financial transactions with Georgia's breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and was meant to signal Georgia's support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.[57] However, the party did not join Ukraine and Western countries in imposing wide-ranging sanctions on Russia to avoid possible confrontation.[58] Amid the 2022 escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the party supported imposing sanctions on Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.[59] However, the party ruled out imposing any economic sanctions against Russia and providing military aid to Ukraine, citing potential harm to Georgian economy and absence of any security guarantees in case of confrontation with Russia.[60] Prime Minister Garibashvili also recalled the Russia-Georgia war in 2008 and stressed that no sanctions had been imposed by the Western countries on Russia following its invasion.[61] The party vowed to support Ukraine at diplomatic arena, voting in favor of pro-Ukraine resolutions.[62]
Under the Georgian Dream leadership, Georgia has signed an Association Agreement and a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. In 2013, the party ruled out joining Eurasian Economic Union, instead opting to deepen cooperation with the European Union. In 2015, Georgia fullfiled all the conditions for its citizens be granted visa-free travel to the Schengen area, with the European Council and the European Parliament giving their approval in 2017. At the same time, the GD-led parliament enshrined pro-EU and pro-NATO foreign policy in the constitution. In January 2021, Georgia was preparing to formally apply for EU membership in 2024.[63][64] However, on 3 March 2022, Georgia submitted its membership application ahead of schedule, following the 2022 escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war.[65]
Georgian Dream coalition
Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia was the leading member of the Georgian Dream Coalition, which initially included six political parties of diverse ideological orientations.[66][67] The coalition was made up of parties ranging from pro-market and pro-western liberals to nationalists and protectionists, united in their dislike of Saakashvili and the United National Movement.[68][69] The name of the alliance is inspired by a rap song by Ivanishvili's son Bera.[70][71]
Former constituent parties
- Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia
- Green Party of Georgia (left the coalition before the 2020 parliamentary election)
- Our Georgia – Free Democrats (left the coalition and became an opposition party on 5 November 2014)
- National Forum (left the coalition after party convention where majority of party members voted to leave on 3 April 2016)
- Republican Party of Georgia (left the coalition in March 2016)
- Industry Will Save Georgia (left the coalition before the 2016 election)
- Social Democrats for the Development of Georgia (members left in February and March 2019 due to problems concerning the Judiciary and Pension system)
- Conservative Party of Georgia (left over the 2019 Georgian protests)
Electoral performance
Parliamentary
Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012[lower-alpha 1] | Bidzina Ivanishvili | 1,184,612 | 54.97 | 85 / 150 |
new | 1st | Government |
2016 | Giorgi Kvirikashvili | 857,394 | 48.65 | 115 / 150 |
30 | 1st | Government |
2020 | Giorgi Gakharia | 928,004 | 48.22 | 90 / 150 |
25 | 1st | Government |
Presidential
Election year | Candidate | Results | |
---|---|---|---|
# of overall votes | % of overall vote | ||
2013 | Giorgi Margvelashvili | 1,012,569 | 62.12 (#1) |
2018 | endorsed Salome Zourabichvili | ||
Local
Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | 719 431 | 50.82 | 1,370 / 2,088 |
new | 1st |
2017 | 838 154 | 55.81 | 1,610 / 2,058 |
240 | 1st |
2021 | 824 755 | 46.75 | 1,358 / 2,068 |
252 | 1st |
Presidents of Georgia from Georgian Dream
Name | From | To |
---|---|---|
Giorgi Margvelashvili | 17 November 2013 | 16 December 2018 |
Prime Ministers of Georgia from Georgian Dream
Name | From | To |
---|---|---|
Bidzina Ivanishvili | 25 October 2012 | 20 November 2013 |
Irakli Gharibashvili | 20 November 2013 | 30 December 2015 |
Giorgi Kvirikashvili | 30 December 2015 | 13 June 2018 |
Mamuka Bakhtadze | 20 June 2018 | 2 September 2019 |
Giorgi Gakharia | 8 September 2019 | 18 February 2021 |
Irakli Gharibashvili | 22 February 2021 | incumbent |
Leadership
The party is led by the Chair, who is the leader of the party's political council. Current chairman is Irakli Kobakhidze.
Party chairs
- Bidzina Ivanishvili (2012–2013)
- Irakli Garibashvili (2013–2015)
- Giorgi Kvirikashvili (2015–2018)
- Bidzina Ivanishvili (2018–2021)
- Irakli Kobakhidze (2021–present)
Notable people
- Paata Mkheidze (2016–2020), deputy of the Parliament of Georgia, constituency No. 29[72]
Notes
- ↑ As part of Georgian Dream coalition
References
- ↑ Kakachia, Kornely (2017). The First 100 Days of The Georgian Dream Government: A Reality Check (PDF). Tbilisi, Georgia: Georgian Institute of Politics. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ↑ Kakachia, Kornely (2017). The First 100 Days of The Georgian Dream Government: A Reality Check (PDF). Tbilisi, Georgia: Georgian Institute of Politics. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ↑ Zarina Burkadze: Georgia’s Illiberal Forces: Political Polarization against Democracy, The Journal of Illiberalism Studies 2(1):31-45, 2022.
- ↑ Kakhishvili, Levan; Keshelava, David; Papava, Giorgi; Sichinava, David (22 October 2021). "Georgia's Political Landscape: Diversity, Convergence and Empty Spots" (PDF). library.fes.de. Georgia (Georgian Republic). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022. p. 23
- 1 2 "Constitutional Reform Raises the Question: What Does Georgian Dream Stand For?". Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ↑ Kincha, Shota (11 May 2023). "Georgian Dream renounces affiliation with centre-left EU parliament group". Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ↑ "Participants". Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
- 1 2 Stephen Jones (2015). "Preface to the Paperback Edition". Georgia: A Political History Since Independence. I.B.Tauris. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-78453-085-3.
- 1 2 Ivanishvili's Political Party Launched Archived 12 February 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Civil Georgia. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
- ↑ Shevchenko hangs up boots for politics , AFP (28 July 2012)
- ↑ "Mikheil Saakashvili's Polarizing Legacy". Radio Freedom. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ↑ Opposition Victory Signals New Direction For Georgia Archived 13 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. National Public Radio. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- ↑ Barry, Ellen (2 October 2012). "Georgia's President Concedes Defeat in Parliamentary Election". The New York Times. Georgia (Georgian Republic). Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "Georgia PM ally Giorgi Margvelashvili 'wins presidency'". BBC News. 27 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ↑ "Senior MP Ponders Quitting Georgian Dream". Civil.Ge. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ↑ DFWatch Staff (26 April 2018). "Ivanishvili to make political comeback, will head Georgia's ruling GD". Democracy and Freedom Watch. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
- ↑ "Removing Coordinated Inauthentic Behavior from Georgia, Vietnam and the US". about.fb.com. 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
- ↑ Genin, Aaron (25 July 2019). "Georgian Protests: Tbilis's Two-Sided Conflict". The California Review. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ↑ "Economist's double life on the frontline of Georgia's street protests". Reuters. 23 July 2019. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ↑ "Georgia: Ruling party promises reforms to calm unrest | DW | 25.06.2019". DW.COM. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ↑ "Russia threatens more economic pain in standoff with Georgia". Reuters. 24 June 2019. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
- ↑ "Georgian opposition starts uniting ahead of fall elections | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ↑ Balmforth, Andrew Osborn, Tom (11 January 2021). "Ex-Soviet Georgia's richest citizen, ruling party chief, quits politics". Reuters. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Georgia prime minister resigns over opposition leader arrest plan". dw.com. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ↑ "Former PM Gakharia Inaugurates New Political Party". Civil.ge. 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ↑ "Ruling party loses majority in 7 out of 64 Georgian municipalities". Agenda.ge. 1 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ↑ "Movement People's Power consults on enlargement". 1TV. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ↑ "Irakli Garibashvili on People's Power movement". caucasuswatch.de (in German). 12 October 2022. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ↑ "ცნობილია, რომელი დეპუტატები და ექსპერტები უერთდებიან "ოცნებიდან" წასულ "ოთხეულს"". რადიო თავისუფლება (in Georgian). Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
- ↑ Ritchie, Rhea Mogul,Sophie Tanno,Niamh Kennedy,Hannah (9 March 2023). "Georgia withdraws 'foreign influence' bill but opposition vows more protests". CNN.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Georgian Dream to leave the Party of European Socialists". Georgia Today. 14 May 2023.
- ↑ "Georgian billionaire ex-PM Ivanishvili returns to politics before election". Reuters. 30 December 2023.
- ↑ Lortkipanidze, Levan. "Parliamentary Elections in Georgia". ge.boell.org. Heinrich Böll Foundation. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
- ↑ "The First 100 Days of the Georgian Dream Government: A Reality Check". Georgian Institute of Politics. 22 February 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ↑ Pertaia, Luka (16 February 2017). "Are Georgia's disparate left-wing protesters consolidating into a coherent political force?". OC Media. Georgia (Georgian Republic). Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- ↑ "New Constitution Enters into Force". Civil Georgia. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ↑ "Constitutional Changes Passed with First Reading". Civil Georgia. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ↑ "Georgia to keep constitutional ban on tax rises for 12 years". Oc-media. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ↑ Kakhishvili, Levan; Keshelava, David; Papava, Giorgi; Sichinava, David (22 October 2021). "Georgia's Political Landscape: Diversity, Convergence and Empty Spots" (PDF). library.fes.de. Georgia (Georgian Republic). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022. p. 22-23
- ↑ Jalagania, Lika (2016). "Legal Situation of LGBTI Persons in Georgia" (PDF). Heinrich Boell Foundation. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ↑ "Georgia's Ruling Party 'Supermajority' Passes Unilateral Constitutional Reform". Jamestown. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
- ↑ "ღარიბაშვილი პრაიდის კვირეულზე: არ არის საჭირო ასეთი მარშები, 85% მართლმადიდებელი ქრისტიანია". Mteronome.ge. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
- ↑ "Garibashvili on LGBT Pride: "95% Against Propagandistic Parade"". Civil.ge. 12 July 2021. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
- ↑ "Georgian Dream ramps up homophobic rhetoric as Pride Week approaches". OC Media. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ↑ "Georgia to ban surrogacy for foreigners". cne.news. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ↑ "Irakli Gharibashvili: As we do not allow violence against representatives of the minority, just like that we will not allow violence by the minority against the majority, we protect the rights of the majority, for whom the family is a union between a man and a woman". Interpressnews. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ↑ "Parliament Speaker Slams Freedom House Report, 'Pseudo-Liberal' NGOs". civil.ge. Civil Georgia. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ "Parliament Approves Amendments on Gender Quotas". Civil Georgia. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
- ↑ Kakhishvili, Levan; Keshelava, David; Papava, Giorgi; Sichinava, David (22 October 2021). "Georgia's Political Landscape: Diversity, Convergence and Empty Spots" (PDF). library.fes.de. Georgia (Georgian Republic). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ↑ Daum, Pierre. "Überall Agenten Moskaus" (in German). Archived from the original on 9 March 2023.
- ↑ "Georgia: political parties and the EU" (PDF). European Parliamentary Research Service. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
- ↑ Joja, Iulia-Sabina. "Georgian Elections 2020: A strong mandate for democratization and Westernization". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ↑ "Парламент Грузії проголосував за безальтернативність інтеграції в ЄС і НАТО". Українська правда. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ↑ "Parliament Adopts Foreign Policy Resolution". Civil Georgia. 29 December 2020. Archived from the original on 29 December 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ↑ "Ruling party head: "pragmatic" policy with Russia aimed at avoiding harm to Georgia, its citizens". Agenda.ge. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ↑ "Ruling party official: "peace, reconciliation and development" "only way" to restore territorial integrity". Agenda.ge. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ↑ "Georgia and Russia: Why and How to Save Normalisation". International Crisis Group. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ↑ "Georgia and Russia: Why and How to Save Normalisation". Agenda.ge. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ↑ "PM: Georgia's Position Regarding Sanctions Imposed on Russia in Full Compliance with Position of Int'l Community". Georgia Today.
- ↑ "Op-ed Groundless Criticism of Georgia Defies Logic, Weakens Our Common Cause". Civil Georgia.
- ↑ "Georgian PM: Gov't imposing sanctions on Russia would "destroy our economy"". Agenda.ge. Agenda.ge.
- ↑ "GD Chair Kobakhidze: We can't and we won't impose sanctions on Russia. Our position is clear". Civil Georgia. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
- ↑ Makszimov, Vlagyiszlav (22 January 2021). "Georgian president visits Brussels in push for 2024 EU membership application". www.euractiv.com. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ↑ "Georgia-EU Relations Within Georgia's 2024 Objective to Apply for the EU Membership". GeorgianJournal (in Georgian). Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ↑ "Georgia, Moldova Formally Apply for EU Membership Amid Russia's Invasion of Ukraine". Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty.
- ↑ "Georgia's election: Pain and grief in Georgia". The Economist. 29 September 2012. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
- ↑ de Waal, Thomas (11 September 2012). "A Crucial Election in Georgia". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ↑ de Waal, Thomas (26 September 2012). "Georgia Holds Its Breath". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
- ↑ Linderman, Laura (2013). Six Months of Georgian Dreams: The State of Play and Ways Forward (PDF). Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
Irakli Alasania's Our Georgia Free Democrats (OGFD) and the Republican Party, led by brothers David and Levan Berdzenishvili and the husband-and-wife team of Davit Usupashvili and Tina Khidasheli, are two prominent, liberal parties in the coalition with a strong, pro-Western foreign policy orientation. Other members include the nationalist Conservative Party, led by Zviad Dzidziguri, a loyalist of former President Zviad Gamsakhurdia; the National Forum (NF), which includes former high-ranking Shevardnadzeera bureaucrats; and the Industrialists. These parties are united in their dislike of Saakashvili and the UNM and have limited political prospects individually.
- ↑ "Topic Galleries". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "Georgia on Brink: Odd Parliamentary Election Leads To Angst Over Results". International Herald Tribune. October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ↑ "პაატა მხეიძე - საქართველოს პარლამენტი". parliament.ge (in Georgian). Retrieved 30 May 2023.