Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili stated that attempts to portray Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, as someone who interferes in processes he supposedly should not be involved in are false conspiracy theories.
Papuashvili noted that the Georgian public perfectly understands the political structure of “Dream” given Ivanishvili’s role, which is why, according to him, they supported the party in the parliamentary elections.
“1,120,000 voters gave their mandate, including to Bidzina Ivanishvili. Moreover, this mandate belongs first and foremost to him,” Papuashvili stated.
The head of the Georgian parliament rejected claims that Ivanishvili wields informal influence. He emphasized that the founder of “Dream” is its honorary chairman and that key political decisions are made within the party. Both Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Bidzina Ivanishvili are represented on the political council, where decisions on key issues are made.
Papuashvili highlighted Ivanishvili’s role when he entered politics in 2011. The “logic of war” under which Georgia had lived until 2012, he said, ended with the victory of “Dream” — with Ivanishvili coming to power.
“Since then, Georgia has been living in conditions of continuous peace and security for 15 years, despite the fact that the world around us is collapsing and new conflicts are breaking out everywhere,” Papuashvili stated.
And when asked whether Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze would leave his post or be replaced, the speaker replied: “No.”
