Today, October 1st, marks the Day of Regaining Freedom, a day that signifies the unprecedented unity of Georgia and its people throughout our nation’s long and storied history, the Honorary Chairman of the Georgian Dream, said this in a statement. Bidzina Ivanishvili emphasized that “patriotism encompasses not merely defending the homeland with arms but, importantly, having the courage to speak out against injustice during the most challenging moments, particularly when others might shy away from doing so”.

“We dared! We achieved the impossible! If, in 2011, at the onset of my political journey, people hesitated to step into the streets and gather, by September 29, 2012, at least half a million patriots flooded the streets of Tbilisi to demonstrate that we fear neither man nor circumstance. And on October 1st, we flocked to the polls en masse, not only to survive but to triumph!

By harnessing this unity, we overcame evil with goodness and falsehood with truth, all without bloodshed. It was this extraordinary unity of our people that the regime of the time and their foreign sponsors could not withstand! This day stands as a foundation for our collective pride—a symbol of the unity of Georgian citizens and the strength of that unity!

This day belongs to us, just like May 26 and April 9!

Our homeland expresses gratitude for all this, and I, too, am grateful—as your comrade-in-arms, as a Georgian man!

I take this opportunity to thank every member of the Georgian Dream, every comrade-in-arms, and supporter. I extend my gratitude to all who fearlessly stood with us on October 1st, traversing the mined fields with dignity over the past 12 years and enduring all manner of pressure to stand beside us once more today”, - reads the statement of Bidzina Ivanishvili.