Georgian PM says after difficult 2024, Gov’t now ready to take decisive steps, including in fight against corruption

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said 2024 was an extremely difficult year, marked by serious political and other challenges, making it hard to take specific steps at the time, further noting that the situation has since stabilised, enabling the Government to implement all necessary measures, including efforts to combat corruption.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze highlighted that Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, returned to politics in December 2023 and made specific statements, including one of his key remarks concerning corruption.

“As for our approach, let me remind you that as early as December 2023, when certain information was already known to us, Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili returned to politics and made concrete statements right here in this building. One of his main remarks referred to corruption. That was December 2023”, he recalled.

“The year 2024 turned out to be extremely challenging, marked by intense pressure and political difficulties, especially in the run-up to the elections. Naturally, it was difficult to take decisive steps under such conditions. However, now that the parliamentary elections have been held and the country has stabilised, we have the practical ability to take all necessary measures, including those in the fight against corruption. We had certain information back then, which is why specific statements were made as early as December 2023, and it took some time to implement decisive measures”, the PM concluded.