Khabeishvili’s Facebook Post Sparks Controversy
Levan Khabeishvili, the chairman of the United National Movement (UNM), the main opposition party in Georgia, posted a provocative message on his Facebook page on December 30, 2023. He addressed Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and former chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and accused him of being a puppet of Russia. He also named several influential figures in the Georgian politics and business, whom he claimed were loyal to Ivanishvili and his interests.
The names he mentioned are Irakli Kobakhidze, the speaker of the parliament and the current chairman of Georgian Dream; Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and the secretary general of Georgian Dream; Irakli Garibashvili, the prime minister of Georgia; Giorgi Liluashvili, the director of Cartu Bank, owned by Ivanishvili; Lasha Partskhaladze, the founder and CEO of m2 Real Estate, a subsidiary of Bank of Georgia Group; and Sozar Subari, the former minister of corrections and the former minister of internally displaced persons.
Khabeishvili’s post was a reaction to the recent announcement by Ivanishvili that he was returning to politics after resigning as the chairman of Georgian Dream in January 2023. Ivanishvili said he decided to come back because of the “critical situation” in the country and the region, and the “threats” posed by the opposition parties, especially UNM.
UNM and Strategy Builder Form a Political Alliance
Khabeishvili’s post also came after the news that UNM and Strategy Builder, another opposition party led by Giorgi Vashadze, had formed a political alliance to challenge Georgian Dream in the upcoming local elections in October 2023. The leaders of the two parties announced the unification at a joint press conference on July 21, 2023. They said they would develop a common strategy to defeat the “Russian party” and Ivanishvili.
UNM and Strategy Builder are both pro-Western and pro-democracy parties that advocate for Georgia’s integration into NATO and the European Union. They also demand the release of Mikheil Saakashvili, the former president of Georgia and the founder of UNM, who is currently in exile and facing several criminal charges in Georgia. Saakashvili is considered by many as the leader of the opposition, despite his absence from the country.
Georgian Dream Denounces Khabeishvili’s Post as “Hate Speech”
The Georgian Dream party condemned Khabeishvili’s post as “hate speech” and “incitement to violence”. They said it was a sign of the “radicalism” and “irresponsibility” of the UNM and its allies. They also accused Khabeishvili of disrespecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, by implying that the country was under the influence of Russia.
Georgia has been in a state of conflict with Russia since the 2008 war, which resulted in the loss of control over two breakaway regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia has recognized the independence of these regions, and maintains military presence and economic ties with them. Georgia considers them as occupied territories, and seeks their restoration under its jurisdiction.
The Georgian Dream party claims that it has pursued a pragmatic and constructive policy towards Russia, in order to reduce tensions and improve relations. They also point out that they have achieved significant progress in the integration of Georgia into NATO and the EU, by signing the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Agreement with the EU, and by participating in the NATO-led missions and exercises.
Khabeishvili Stands by His Post and Calls for a Peaceful Protest
Khabeishvili defended his post and said he was expressing his opinion and the sentiment of the majority of the Georgian people. He said he was not calling for violence, but for a peaceful protest against the “anti-national” and “anti-democratic” regime of Ivanishvili and his cronies. He said he was not afraid of the possible legal consequences of his post, and that he was ready to face any charges.
He also reiterated his demand for the release of Saakashvili, whom he called the “legitimate president” of Georgia. He said he was on his way to the court of Saakashvili when he heard about his victory in the UNM chairmanship elections, which were held on January 30, 2023. He said he would stay in the UNM and fight for Saakashvili’s freedom and the restoration of democracy in Georgia.
Khabeishvili also called on the Georgian people to join the rally that the UNM and Strategy Builder had planned for February 1, 2023, in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi. He said the rally would be a demonstration of the unity and strength of the opposition, and a message to Ivanishvili and his regime that they had to leave the power and the country.
