Speech by Georgian Dream Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili at the regional event of the Georgian Dream’s election campaign in Ambrolauri.

„Greetings, my dear Georgians, welcome, people of Racha, Lechkhumi, Svaneti.

It is impossible to gaze upon the proud, towering peaks of the Caucasus and not be moved by the thought of how many trials and triumphs, how much heroic history, this God-given gift has witnessed. Despite the many disasters and hardships that have befallen this region – whether natural calamities or enemy invasions – the people of Racha, Lechkhumi, and Svaneti have carefully preserved the unique traditions, culture, and customs characteristic of each of these areas. 

After all, precisely this is one of the strengths of the Georgian people – a nation united around homeland, language, and faith that is so diverse that Rachan composure and industriousness, Svan courage and sense of justice, Lechkhumian hospitality and determination all combine to create a tapestry of beautiful traditions that are distinct yet interconnected. It is this love for the region and the capacity for self-sacrifice that has preserved Racha, Lechkhumi, and Svaneti. We have no right not to continue the work started by our ancestors, not to care for and protect their legacy.

When I first met you here on 27 August 2012, we spoke about the unbearable conditions and problems created for the people of Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti by the criminal policies of the previous authorities. You, more than anyone, remember how the enormous potential of this area was being squandered. Regions rich in medicinal waters, unique plant species, and world-renowned grape varieties, with immense tourist potential were being destroyed, and this place was exploited by a small circle close to the National Movement for their personal gain, leaving the local population with no other option but to abandon their homes and lands and move elsewhere.

At that time, I promised you that our government would breathe new life into this region. We would regulate the status of mountainous regions and the benefits derived from it at the legislative level, improve infrastructure, including internal and main roads, and especially encourage investors willing to contribute to the development of Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti. You know better than anyone how much more investment is being made in Racha-Lechkhumi and Svaneti today compared to 2012, how the law passed by our government regarding the status of mountainous regions has persuaded many locals to abandon the idea of leaving their homes, how the infrastructure has been improved, and how significant and extensive road construction has directly contributed to the realization of the region"s economic and tourism potential.

You can see with your own eyes that abandoned villages and towns have been revitalized. There is now the opportunity to develop unique resorts in compliance with all modern standards without compromising the local unique ecosystem. Unlike the situation 12 years ago, today, the value of world-renowned Khvanchkara, unique Mujuretuli, Aleksandrouli, and the wines produced from them has significantly increased. This is largely due to the agricultural support programs and our correct policies, which have primarily contributed to the improvement of the local population"s prosperity.

The past years have shown that Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti have great development potential, while the work already done has demonstrated that when the interests of the people, the state, and the private sector interact correctly, achieving positive results is entirely realistic, leaving all parties satisfied – the people, the authorities, and investors alike!

Over the next four years, we will undoubtedly continue the work we have started. We will create all the conditions necessary for the local population to fully harness the potential of this unique region. We will attract even more investment and carry out larger infrastructure projects. For this, it is crucial that the Georgian Dream, together with you, once again defeats the collective National Movement in the 26 October elections and neutralizes the threats they and their masters pose.

Just as we did 12 years ago, we must make a historic choice to save our country and guide it to safety, and then complete the work started in 2012 by becoming a full-fledged member of the European Union while maintaining our national dignity. In response, the foreign agents scattered throughout the Georgian radical opposition are eagerly awaiting any opportunity to regain power, which would mean dragging Georgia into war, economic hardship, hunger, even more lives lost, and additional occupied territories.  

When we speak of Racha, it is impossible to forget the tragedy that occurred here a year ago. 3 August 2023 will forever remain an open wound. The disaster that struck Shovi claimed the lives of people, including children. At such times, we realize the special importance of unity – when the whole country stands together, people support each other without words, and the tragedy is mourned with the dignity that only Georgians can exhibit. Unfortunately, I must once again mention the collective National Movement, which once again showed its true face by thinking of political interests and blaming the authorities for a natural disaster, even before we had fully grasped what had happened. This group remains outside any societal consensus; they thrive on confrontation and division, and at such times, any attempt to unite with them and discuss the country"s interests is futile.

Unlike previous years, the current political situation in the region has forced certain global powers and their agents in our country to go all-in, trying every possible way to return the National Movement to power. However, they have failed to achieve their goal. As a result, they have finally unmasked themselves and revealed their true selves to the Georgian people. The collective National Movement, filled with foreign agents, can no longer impose lies on the Georgian people, making the choice clear – on one side stands peace, prosperity, and dignity, and on the other side there is war, hardship, and servile obedience.

The insightfulness of the Georgian people gives me the confidence to say that on 26 October, which is a kind of a referendum, the idea of national sovereignty and traditional values will prevail in Georgia. However, to ensure long-term peace and security, we need a victory with a constitutional majority. As we expect the support of the overwhelming majority of the public, we are obligated to explain in detail why we need a constitutional majority and how it will benefit our country"s interests:

First and foremost, it is vital for Georgia"s political system to be cleansed, which is impossible without removing the National Movement from Georgian politics. When we secure a constitutional majority, it will be a mandate from the public to provide a legal assessment of the criminal actions of our country"s enemies, especially the grave crimes committed during the August 2008 war. We take responsibility that after the elections, and after gaining high legitimacy from the Georgian people, we will begin a process that will end with the prosecution and severe punishment of the criminals!

We must end the cycle of constant terror, imposed confrontations, and invented problems once and for all – without this, achieving long-term peace and stable development will be impossible! Unfortunately, over the years, the country has not had full-fledged elections, as in a healthy political system, the choice is between good and better. In our country, on one side stands the Georgian Dream, thinking about the survival, development, and peace of the country, while on the other side stands the collective National Movement, which is hostile to the state and serves foreign interests.

For 12 years, we have witnessed firsthand how many times they attempted a coup through fabricated reasons, artificially imposed political crises, tragedies, manipulations, and the propaganda of lies! Their plans never materialized, and the agents of foreign forces were unable to regain power. However, it became clear just how risky and dangerous this imposed polarization can be. The Georgian people have elected the Georgian Dream for three consecutive terms, and in a healthy political system, political forces should alternate periodically. This is impossible under the current circumstances! The opportunity for this will only arise once healthy opposition forces have replaced the collective National Movement and our team has a worthy competitor.

Secondly, the Parliament of Georgia has already initiated the constitutional draft law "On the Protection of Family Values and Minors," which, like everything else beneficial to Georgian interests, is opposed by the collective National Movement. Local agents enthusiastically defend and promote pseudo-liberal ideology, whose goal is to dismantle all traditional values, strip people of dignity and morality, and create a uniform mass of low-grade slaves with a single mentality. However, upon securing a constitutional majority, we will undoubtedly fulfill the mandate of the Georgian population – to take special care of family values and the interests of minors and to protect them at the constitutional level!

Thirdly, the restoration of territorial integrity is one of our most important national objectives as Georgians. The past few years have made it clear that events in the region are developing very rapidly. Therefore, we must always be ready for the opportunity to restore territorial integrity through peaceful means. In such a case, it will be necessary for our country"s governance system and territorial organization to correlate with the new reality, which can only be achieved through constitutional amendments. We can confidently say that the opposition, saturated with foreign agents, will again refuse to act in Georgia"s interests, will continue to follow external instructions, and will oppose the necessary changes for restoring territorial integrity. This is why we need a constitutional majority – so that, if necessary, no one can stand in the way of constitutional amendments.

Fourthly, as I mentioned in the letter issued by the Political Council and in my speech in Mtskheta, there is yet another existentially significant issue for our country and faith. Active work is underway on this matter, and we will soon inform the public of the important decision related to it.

Bringing the points mentioned above to fruition is crucial for establishing long-term peace, but the primary challenge we face is our present reality. Internal and external enemies, eager to drag the country into the turmoil of war, are lying in wait for the slightest opportunity to replace the national government with their agents, which would directly lead to bombs raining down on Georgia and the destruction of the country. We cannot afford even the smallest mistake – every vote cast for the Georgian Dream, every mandate, is a choice made in favor of peace. Together, we must vigilantly navigate the next few months, and as soon as the war ends, the unhealthy interests directed at our country will be replaced with the opposite attitude. We must remember that our country and people are as essential to our partners as they are to us. Once the situation in the region stabilizes, friendship with a strong Georgian government will be a priority and a necessity for everyone in times of mutual interest. This is why we need maximum legitimacy. We must win so convincingly that no one will be tempted to create artificial problems for the country’s elected authorities.

Securing a constitutional majority and addressing the aforementioned issues will set our country on the path of long-term stability and peaceful development. Therefore, my dear people of Racha, Lechkhumi, and Svaneti, for whom peace, prosperity, and the preservation of national dignity are important, let us go to the polls on 26 October and take a decisive step towards the peaceful future of our country.

To Europe, only with peace, dignity, and prosperity.

We will surely win on 26 October, and together we will continue to fulfill the Georgian Dream".