Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has extended his birthday wishes to Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, declaring his role in the country’s recent history to be irreplaceable.

“I congratulate Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili on his 70th jubilee! His role in the modern history of our country is irreplaceable.

At an exceptionally difficult time for Georgia, when democracy, the rule of law, human dignity, freedom of enterprise, property rights, freedom of the press, and other supreme values lay trampled underfoot; when a foreign-controlled government posed a constant threat to the country’s security, it was Bidzina Ivanishvili who brought about a turning point in the life of both the nation and the state.

Democracy and the rule of law took root in Georgia; freedom of business and media pluralism were restored; the country came to be led by the first government since the restoration of independence under which Georgia has not been at war; the national economy and budget have quadrupled; and Georgia has reclaimed its independence and sovereign statehood.

In 2012, at enormous personal risk under a criminal regime, the transformation of Georgian public life was wrought by a man who had a great deal to lose. He set aside his own personal safety and well-being and, in the most literal sense, risked his life to deliver Georgia from the criminal rule of foreign agents. Such a step could only have been taken by a man with an exceptionally profound love for his homeland.

Alongside patriotism, replacing a criminal regime sustained from abroad demanded singular wisdom and intellect. In 2011, no one believed it possible to change a regime through elections under conditions of total subversion of democracy and the rule of law. Yet what everyone deemed impossible, Bidzina Ivanishvili made possible through grandmaster calculation and foresight.

That same extraordinary love for country and wisdom was required when, after 2022, Georgia had to be guided away from the path of events that brought existential catastrophe upon Ukraine. Here too, standing firm against the immense pressure and blackmail directed at our country, and at Bidzina Ivanishvili personally, required, on the one hand, a profound devotion to the homeland and, on the other, exceptional wisdom and intellect. That Georgia, throughout this most arduous period over the past four years, has preserved peace, continued rapid economic growth, and resolutely consolidated its independence and sovereignty, is owed directly to Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili.

Bidzina Ivanishvili has established within Georgian politics a culture of patient, measured statesmanship, the absence of which, since the restoration of independence, cost our country so many grievous errors.

I am certain that under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s leadership, the governing team will continue to achieve great success for the benefit of Georgia.
I once again congratulate Mr Bidzina Ivanishvili on his jubilee and wish him long life and the fulfilment of every goal he has set himself,” wrote Irakli Kobakhidze.