Georgian PM: Georgia’s governance will follow constitutional principles and political standards set in 2012 by Bidzina Ivanishvili

External forces and their local agents are targeting Bidzina Ivanishvili - the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party - because they seek to regain control over Georgia, said on Tuesday Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze noted that these forces are determined to return the country to the reality that was changed by Bidzina Ivanishvili in 2012.

“This was a system of foreign-backed governance that brought Georgia widespread violations of democracy and human rights, business racketeering, the abolition of media freedom, war, destruction, and the occupation of 20 percent of the country’s territory”, he said.

“The consequences of foreign-backed governance are no less severe in European countries, where the decline of democracy, human rights, freedom of speech and the media, the weakening of national and religious identity, and economic stagnation are primarily the result of the loss of state sovereignty. Once exemplary European states are now facing deeply troubling trends because their governments serve external forces rather than their own people”, the PM continued.

Kobakhidze further added that the main reason behind the aggression directed at Bidzina Ivanishvili was that he freed the Georgian people from what he described as “agentocracy” and restored what rightfully belonged to them - democracy and the right to elect their Government.

The Prime Minister further credited Ivanishvili with Georgia’s current achievements.

“I would like to reiterate what I have said many times before. The fact that Georgia has maintained uninterrupted peace for 14 years, remains more independent and sovereign than ever, possesses strong democratic institutions and a robust state system, places care for individuals at the center of governance, and continues to achieve rapid economic growth is, first and foremost, the result of Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili’s contribution”, he noted.

“Accordingly, governance of the country will continue in full respect of the Constitution of Georgia and on the basis of the principles that Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili established in Georgian politics in 2012. His role in firmly upholding and strengthening these principles has been, remains, and will continue to be exceptional and invaluable”, Kobakhidze concluded.