Gakharia: Under What Conditions Does Ivanishvili Consider Restoring Territorial Integrity?

"For several weeks, within the framework of the election campaign, Bidzina Ivanishvili has been persistently demanding an apology from the citizens of Georgia, though it remains unclear for whom. At the same time, he is calling for a constitutional majority in the future for the possible restoration of territorial integrity after the elections. In fact, he does not explain anything to us; he does not share how he intends to restore territorial integrity or what his plan is - perhaps we would agree with it.

Currently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia clearly and openly states his country's position at the United Nations: nothing has changed for the Russian Federation. They do not plan to withdraw their army from Georgian territory, nor do they intend to recognize the occupied territories," Gakharia said at today's briefing.

According to the former Prime Minister, restoring Georgia's territorial integrity is the biggest task for every citizen, and such issues cannot be settled in a closed room or behind the scenes a few weeks before the elections.

"It is evident that Ivanishvili is afraid of debates and avoids them. However, I call on him to at least respect the citizens of Georgia and explain the issues surrounding territorial integrity and sovereignty. If he cannot participate in the debate, then, for example, on October 15, when he will be in Zugdidi demanding an apology from the citizens of Georgia or calling for a constitutional majority, he should at least answer the following questions:

• In what form and under what conditions does he envision restoring the territorial integrity of Georgia when neither Russia nor the proxy regimes in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali have changed their positions regarding the so-called independence of these regions and the withdrawal of occupation troops?
• For what type of state organization and constitutional changes does he require a constitutional majority?
• Given the confrontation with the West and the isolation of Georgia as a result, as well as the current government's changed position and its blaming of its own country for the start of the war, is the policy of non-recognition at risk, and how does he intend to protect this policy?

Ivanishvili can talk about peace, the protection of sovereignty, and the peaceful integration of the country only if he provides public answers to these questions. Otherwise, any similar issue raised in the pre-election context will be seen as another attempt to deceive the public, posing the greatest danger of finally destroying the prospect of restoring Georgia's territorial integrity," said Giorgi Gakharia.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, who has been speaking at the ruling party's pre-election events in the regions for the past month, repeatedly states, "We must be ready at any time for the peaceful restoration of territorial integrity," emphasizing that constitutional changes will be necessary in such a case. Additionally, on September 14, Ivanishvili stated in Gori that immediately after the parliamentary elections, when "the instigators of the war will be held accountable, we will find the strength within ourselves" to apologize for the fact that the National Movement in 2008 "encircled our Ossetian sisters and brothers in flames."