Georgian Dream Elects Bidzina Ivanishvili as Party Chairman
Today, the Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia party unanimously elected former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili as Party Chairman at its 5th Convention. Ivanishvili is returning to lead the party he founded in 2012.
In his speech to the Party Convention, Ivanishvili recounted the Georgian Dream’s accomplishments of the past six years and the nation’s transformation. He highlighted the establishment of universal healthcare, elimination of elite corruption, fostering of a business-friendly, growth-oriented economy, strengthening of democratic institutions, protecting human rights, and ensuring an independent judiciary, depoliticized law enforcement and a free press.
“Six years ago, the Georgian people overcame hopelessness and despair, and changed their destiny, coming to put their faith in our political power and claiming democracy…I can state without false modesty that Georgian Dream has given the irreversibility of democracy its first strong impetus, opening this way the door to Europe for Georgia.”
Regarding his return to the Party Chairman’s role, Ivanishvili said, “Democracy is our uncompromising national idea and my ultimate task lies in preserving and developing this achievement. This is why I am coming back to state politics.”
Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili spoke of the ruling party's accomplishments and vision for the future: "There is no growth, development, and progress without peace and stability, which is why I believe ensuring peace and stability in the country to be one of our main achievements. We live in a region that offers opportunities and poses challenges at the same time. Our pragmatic foreign policy is that unique tool which makes it possible to tackle existing challenges, on one hand, and to make use of all the manifold benefits in our region, on the other."
The party convention also elected the following leaders to serve on the Georgian Dream Political Council:
- Giorgi Kvirikashvili (Prime Minister of Georgia)
- Kakha Kaladze (Mayor of Tbilisi)
- Irakli Kobakhidze (Chairman of the Parliament)
- Tamar Chugoshvili (First Deputy Chairman of the Parliament)
- Giorgi Volski (Deputy Chairman of the Parliament)
- Ilia Nakashidze (Deputy Chairman of the Parliament)
- Archil Talakvadze (Leader of the Parliamentary Majority)
- Mamuka Mdinaradze (Chairman of the Georgian Dream Faction)
- Dimitri Samkharadze (Deputy Chairman of the Georgian Dream Faction)
- Irakli Tripolski (Deputy Chairman of the Georgian Dream Faction)
- Bidzina Gegidze (Chairman of the Georgian Dream – For Strong Georgia Faction)
- Maya Tskitishvili (Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Georgia)
- Sozar Subari (Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Accomodation and Refugees of Georgia)
- David Saganelidze (CEO of the Partnership Fund)
Image source: RFE/RL