Ivanishvili Presents Opposition Coalition

Georgian billionaire and opposition leader Bidzina Ivanishvili presented the new coalition “Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia” Feb. 21 at Tbilisi’s Radisson Blue Hotel, interpressnews reported.

The Republican Party, Irakli Alasania’s Free Democrats and Kakha Shartava’s National Forum have joined the new political union.

Koba Davitashvili’s People’s Party and Zviad Dzidziguri’s Conservative Party also joined, albeit with the “free members” status. “These parties will not be full members of the coalition, but they will help us with all their resources,” Ivanishvili said.

During the presentation, Ivanishvili requested  journalists not to refer to each of the parties separately, but call them by the new name, the Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia coalition.

The coalition’s political council consists of Bidzina Ivanishvili, David Usupashvili, Irakli Alasania, Kakha Shartava, Zviad Dzidziguri, David Berdzenishvili, Aleksi Petriashvili and Nodar Khetaguri.

Representatives of the new union presented a declaration, which said that the 2012 parliamentary elections would become a milestone in the country’s new path of development and foundation of a pluralistic democracy. If the coalition wins the upcoming elections, it promises to develop liberal institutions, achieve the national unity and establish a multi-party system.  

Moreover, the new collation has promised to strengthen Georgia’s security by integrating into the EU and NATO, participating in regional economic and conflict resolution processes. In order to unify the country, the coalition plans to establish a direct dialogue with the de facto Abkhaz and South Ossetian authorities and, with the help of the international community, resume talks with Russia.