“Today marks 13 years since the founding of the Georgian Dream. On April 21, 2012, Bidzina Ivanishvili created this political union and, during challenging times, at the risk of his own and his family’s lives, declared a decisive battle against the bloody dictatorship established in the country. After the victory over the regime, under the Georgian Dream, Georgia has firmly established itself on the principles of democracy and rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and has set on an irreversible development path,” reads the Georgian Dream Political Council’s statement.
The Georgian Dream government is Georgia’s first administration since the restoration of independence under which the country has not experienced war. Moreover, the Georgian Dream has maintained continuous peace under extremely challenging geopolitical circumstances. In this regard, the past three years have been particularly defiant, when Georgia faced a direct threat of becoming a second front, however, despite severe pressure and blackmail, the government has honourably overcome and continues to overcome this challenge. Society sees that no threats, blackmail, sanctions, or statements can force the Georgian Dream government to plunge Georgia into the flames of war, which would bring destruction to our country.
In 2012, a severe 9-year period of democratic regression was replaced by continuous democratic progress. On October 1, 2012, the Georgian Dream government relegated to the past a severe authoritarian regime, an undemocratic constitution, election fraud, the practice of torture and inhumane treatment of people, business racketeering, monopolized media, courts subordinated to political control, and many other vices.
Today, human rights are protected in Georgia, the country has a democratic constitution, fair elections are held, torture and inhumane treatment of people have been eliminated, business is freer than ever, judicial independence is protected, and media pluralism is ensured.
Georgia has embarked on the right path of economic development. Since 2012, the Georgian economy has had to cope with two global and regional economic crises. However, with the establishment of real economic freedom, the elimination of business racketeering, and the implementation of sound fiscal policies, Georgia has successfully overcome difficulties and tripled the country’s economy.
Over the past 4 years, Georgia’s economy has grown by an average of 9.7 per cent, which is the best indicator in the region and Europe. This year, Georgia’s economy will exceed 10,000 dollars per capita, and according to the International Monetary Fund’s forecast, by 2030 it will reach USD 13,500, and Georgia will move into the category of high-income countries.
The lari exchange rate is reliably stable, and the country’s external debt has decreased from 60 to 36.4 per cent. According to World Bank data, since 2012, the poverty rate in Georgia has decreased threefold, and nearly 700,000 people have overcome poverty.
Since 2012, the state’s approach to social policy has fundamentally changed. A universal healthcare program has been introduced, social assistance packages for the socially vulnerable population have been substantially expanded, and the social assistance distribution practice under political interests has been eliminated.
Georgia has achieved all tangible progress on the European integration path precisely under the Georgian Dream government. It was after 2012 that the country signed the Association Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement and received a visa-free travel regime. We also fought to obtain candidate status, which Georgia’s ill-wishers and European bureaucracy acting on their dictation had intended to use as an instrument of blackmail against Georgia. Even though European bureaucracy is still engaged in blackmailing Georgia and attempting to return non-democratic forces to power, we promise society that our political team will honourably meet all challenges. By the announced EU enlargement in 2030, Georgia will be better prepared than any candidate country. We hope that by that time, Brussels’ current bureaucracy will also be replaced by a dignified, independent political elite oriented toward the future of the EU and Europe.
Georgia today is as independent and sovereign as ever before. No one can dictate to or force the government to take steps that would go against the interests of our country. The Georgian Dream government acts according to Georgia’s national interests and will never compromise at the expense of these interests, but steadfastly continue to defend the homeland, the church, and national values!” reads the statement.
