Georgia, a former Soviet republic in the Caucasus region, is facing a political crisis as its prime minister, Irakli Garibashvili, announced his resignation on Monday. Garibashvili said he had accepted an offer to lead the ruling Georgian Dream party’s political council, ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for the fall. His decision came a month after the party’s founder and former prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili, returned as its honorary chairman.
Garibashvili’s Reasons for Resigning
Garibashvili, who served as prime minister twice, from 2013 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2024, said he was stepping down to prepare for the upcoming elections and to ensure the party’s victory. He said he was proud of his achievements as the head of the government, such as implementing reforms, strengthening the economy, fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and maintaining Georgia’s pro-Western orientation.
“We will elect a new parliament in the fall, and Georgian Dream should prepare to win elections decisively to continue the way forward in achieving other goals,” Garibashvili said in a televised statement. He also thanked the Georgian people for their support and trust, and expressed confidence that the country would overcome its challenges and achieve its aspirations.
The Role of Ivanishvili in Georgian Politics
Garibashvili’s resignation is widely seen as a sign of the influence of Ivanishvili, a billionaire businessman who made his fortune in Russia and founded Georgian Dream in 2012. Ivanishvili served as prime minister from 2012 to 2013, but remained the de facto leader of the party and the country until he announced his retirement from politics in 2021. However, he made a comeback in December 2023, amid growing public discontent and opposition protests over the handling of the pandemic, the economy, and the judicial system.
Ivanishvili, who is often accused of having ties with the Kremlin and pursuing a soft policy towards Russia, has the power to nominate the prime ministerial candidate and the cabinet members, according to the party’s charter. He has not yet revealed his choice for the next prime minister, but some analysts speculate that he might pick a loyalist or even himself. The parliament, which is dominated by Georgian Dream, has two weeks to approve the new prime minister and the government.
The Reaction of the Opposition and the International Community
The opposition parties, which have been boycotting the parliament since the 2023 elections, which they claim were rigged, denounced Garibashvili’s resignation as a political maneuver by Ivanishvili to consolidate his control over the country. They also demanded early elections, the release of political prisoners, and the reform of the electoral and judicial systems.
“We call on ‘Dream’ to invite the Prosecutor General to Parliament and discuss with his participation the report on the activities of the Prosecutor’s Office, which is the main instrument of political persecution in the country,” said For Georgia, an opposition party led by former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia, who resigned in 2021 over a court order to arrest an opposition leader.
The international community, which has been mediating the political crisis in Georgia, urged the parties to engage in dialogue and respect the democratic principles. The European Union, the United States, and the United Nations expressed their readiness to continue their support for Georgia’s sovereignty, stability, and development.
