Bidzina Explains Why He Came Back
"Why do I return to politics after having publicly stated a few years back that I would make this decision as a last resort in a case of extreme need? Why do I decide now to again lead the party I founded in 2012, fulfilling together with my people probably the most honorable mission in my life defeating, and I am sure, once and for all removing from power violent and oppressive authorities?" asked the new Chairman of the Georgian Dream ruling party.
Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili left politics after a year serving as the country's Prime Miinister following a decisive win in the 2012 elections which ousted ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement party.
Ivanishvili said today that he left of his own accord, "believing that [his] role in the development of society would be more important." He then went on to explain his decision to return to politics.
"Those close to me know well that I did not make this difficult decision in the interests of the present authorities, or Georgian Dream, much less my own interests. Like in October 2011, the goal is the same: the wellbeing of and a decent future for Georgia, the people and each and every family! We are facing a major challenge defined and nourished by three conditional reasons," he announced. "The first reason is the objectively existing unenviable social and economic situation, and constant artificial attempts to paint an even darker picture of this already difficult situation. The second reason is the extremely destructive vibe coming from the majority of opponents. And the third reason lies within the authorities—albeit weak but nonetheless unnecessary misunderstandings that are groundless and are detrimental to the country’s interests."
He went on to note the "economic misery" still suffered by many Georgian citizens.
"The chaos, which stemmed from the absence of traditions of modern state governance, caused the most painful social and economic collapse, and poverty became widespread. The problems of unemployment, insufficient remuneration for those employed, and pension-related problems remain strong. Unfortunately, life is becoming more expensive," he lamented. "The political problems in today’s Georgia are largely due to the fact that, on one hand, we have an almost European-quality democracy and, on the other, the level of economic development lags far behind. Such disproportion between the levels of democracy and economy is so unique that it is hard to find a country in a similar situation. Economy and freedoms in traditional democracies usually nourish and complement each other."
"Elimination of this disharmony is the major challenge for modern Georgia," Ivanishvili noted. "And no matter how hard it may be, on this path we opted in favor of democracy, and we firmly said that the economy must catch up with democracy, and not the other way around. We must maintain the high level of democracy and constantly work on its development. Democracy is our unconditional choice; however, commitment to this very choice to some extent increases the political risks in the country, because adventurist groups fight for power using destructive actions."
The new GD Party Chairman then highlighted the positive aspects of living in Georgia, including the freedom to information enjoyed by its people, and the fact that citizens can travel visa-free to highly-developed countries in Europe and elsewhere, allowing them to "clearly see the extreme social and economic contrast between the living conditions there and here."
"Often, GDP per capita in developed countries is five to ten times as much as ours," he acknowledged. "Clearly, during such times, it is natural that one wishes to align the living conditions in Georgia with those found in Europe immediately, or in a maximally short period of time. What is strange and unclear is not the people’s desire to have a better life, but the fact that there are almost no oliticians or experts in Georgia who would tell the truth and explain to the people that Europe had to go through centuries of economic and political cataclysms to reach today’s level of living, and that there can never be authorities that can ensure not 5% or 6%, but a 600% economic growth."
"Today we are facing a historic breakthrough, and now we cannot afford to be hopeless or desperate," Ivanishvili said. "Despite wholehearted support for our country, without democracy, no European state would accept us as a full and equal partner. Without democracy, we were doomed to increase the distance between Georgia and Europe, instead of decreasing it. Without democracy, we would never become a member of the European family. 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. We have not inherited democracy, nor have we received it through a benevolent act from above. We have fought tooth and nail against the regime and snatched democracy from its hands. Most importantly, thanks to unique organization and delicate management of processes, we achieved it without shedding blood. This is how we proved that being European is our civilizational choice. 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!"
"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!" he said.
"I have faith in Georgia," he added. "I have faith in our uniqueness. I believe in our European prospects, and I am convinced that we will return our Abkhazian and Ossetian brothers, and that we, as a people of a great past, will enjoy an honorable future! This is my main and ultimate goal! We will complete this undertaking, and we will win! This is why I have returned to politics!"
Image source: fortuna.ge