Fourteen years ago, on this day, a turning point in Georgia’s recent history occurred with the establishment of the political union Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia. April 21, 2012—followed by the defeat of the National Movement on October 1, 2012—symbolically marked the moment when the country began its transition from an autocratic governance model, influenced by external interests, to a modern, democratic, and dignified state,” declared the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, in his statement.
According to Kobakhidze, the Georgian Dream political team “gradually began building a sovereign, stable, and developed state, and today it is clear that we have left behind the most difficult legacy created by the National Movement.”
“Today, 14 years after the founding of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, it is impossible not to recall the challenges our team and the Georgian people have overcome. Although some believe that drawing parallels with the situation under the National Movement is no longer relevant, it remains important to remember the mandate given by Georgian society and the transformation that has taken place since 2012.
Since then, our country has embarked on an irreversible path of development, becoming a state centered on the individual, where the protection of sovereignty, democratic principles, and national values is the top priority.
Before 2012, Georgia faced systemic problems that not only restricted freedom but also undermined statehood itself.
Our political team inherited a country where justice was selective and public trust in the judiciary was virtually nonexistent. Human rights violations were widespread and systemic, affecting both individuals and society as a whole. Major media outlets were controlled by a single political force, limiting diversity of opinion and suppressing critical voices. Law enforcement agencies were heavily politicized and often used as tools of pressure and control rather than protection.
Prisons functioned as the primary punitive mechanism—closed systems where many individuals were imprisoned unjustly, often for political reasons, with no hope of fair treatment or reintegration.
There was also unprecedented pressure on private property and businesses. Tens of thousands of citizens were deprived of their property, unable to defend their rights out of fear of persecution.
In addition, high social inequality, widespread vulnerability, and weak social protection systems defined everyday life. Georgia lacked strong state institutions, dissent was treated as a threat, and public trust in the state was critically low.
Despite this, external actors often portrayed the country as a “beacon of democracy,”” Kobakhidze noted.
He further emphasized that, despite this difficult legacy, Georgian Dream assumed full responsibility for the country and initiated systemic reforms aimed at building a just, democratic, and stable state.
“Today, 14 years later, Georgia lives in a fundamentally different reality. The rule of law has strengthened, and public trust in institutions has significantly increased. The justice system has become more transparent and independent, focusing on protecting human rights.
Human rights protection is no longer a formality but a core principle of state policy, ensuring the dignity and security of every citizen.
The media environment is now diverse and pluralistic, with numerous television stations and independent media outlets operating freely, guaranteeing access to information and the expression of critical opinions.
Law enforcement agencies are no longer politically influenced and serve society and the law. In the economic sphere, a stable and predictable environment has been created, where businesses are protected, investments are encouraged, and the private sector continues to grow.
Social policy has become a priority. Universal healthcare has been introduced, social programs have expanded, and support for vulnerable groups has increased. Extreme poverty has declined, and state assistance has grown.
State institutions have strengthened, becoming more independent and effective, laying a solid foundation for sustainable development. Despite political differences, diversity is now recognized as an essential element of democracy, while the state works to prevent extremism and protect constitutional order.
As a result, public trust in the state has increased, as Georgia has become a country where the government is accountable to its citizens and institutions serve society.
In this process, the role of Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, has been fundamental. His vision and leadership helped unite society, implement democratic changes peacefully, and dismantle systemic problems that had hindered development.
This is the path Georgian Dream has followed for 14 years—from challenges to progress, from confrontation to stability, and from distrust to trust. It has shown that consistent policies, protection of sovereignty, and a peace-oriented vision can form the basis of a country’s success.
However, challenges remain, particularly in today’s complex geopolitical environment, where the interests of major powers often intersect with those of smaller states.
One of the key challenges for Georgia is safeguarding sovereignty and maintaining an independent political course. There have been repeated attempts to influence internal processes through political, economic, and informational pressure.
In this context, it is especially important for the ruling team to make decisions based solely on national interests and to resist forces driven by narrow political agendas and associated with difficult experiences of the past.
Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia derives its legitimacy from the Georgian people, as reflected in democratic elections and public support. Accordingly, its main task is to develop the country in line with the needs and expectations of its citizens.
It is precisely this legitimacy that has enabled Georgia to build a strong foundation and a clear vision for development.
I congratulate every member and supporter of Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia, as well as every patriot of our country, on this important anniversary. Greater goals and opportunities lie ahead—opportunities we will use together to strengthen our homeland,” the statement concludes.
