By love-89.com In a recent interview, we explored the enigmatic influence of Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia’s wealthiest and most powerful figure, who has steered the nation away from western alliances over the past decade. His strategic maneuvering culminated in his party’s decisive victory in the parliamentary elections, solidifying its power for another four years. Critics warn that this may undermine Georgia’s fragile democracy and obstruct any meaningful path toward EU integration.
Ivanishvili, whose fortunes are estimated at $7.5 billion in a country with a GDP of $30 billion, has largely worked behind the scenes, with many Georgians labeling him the “puppet master.” His public persona took a more prominent role leading up to Saturday’s elections, raising eyebrows as his party’s anti-western rhetoric intensified.
On the night of the election, Ivanishvili celebrated as the Georgian Dream party he founded garnered 54% of the votes. Fireworks lit up the sky above the party headquarters, a stark contrast to the despair felt by opposition members whose hopes of forming a pro-western alliance crumbled.
The oligarch spent much of the ’90s in Russia, amassing wealth through banking and telecommunications ventures during the turbulent post-Soviet era. Upon returning to Georgia and entering the political arena, he cultivated an aura of intrigue, engaging in eccentric hobbies that sparked public fascination. Reflecting on his mysterious nature, he once remarked, “I could tell you anything and you wouldn’t be able to check it.”
As he ramped up his visibility for the pivotal election, Ivanishvili’s rhetoric grew increasingly aggressive. In one recent interview, he employed controversial, far-right language, framing Georgia’s political landscape as a struggle against western values he deemed corrosive. He made inflammatory claims about cultural influences from Europe and accused the west of pressuring Georgia into a conflict akin to that in Ukraine.
Opponents and former allies caution that his bold statements conceal genuine threats. Tina Khidasheli, a former defense minister, expressed concern about his intent to eliminate major opposition parties and label their members as “criminals” and “traitors.” “It is very simple; Ivanishvili actually does what he says,” she asserted, emphasizing the potential dangers ahead.
While Ivanishvili once thrived in public settings, his increasing paranoia has led him to adopt extensive security measures, including delivering speeches behind bulletproof glass. Experts like Kornely Kakachia suggest that the struggle for power is existential for Ivanishvili—he believes losing would endanger not only his political position but also his business empire.
Despite his Russian ties and the implementation of legislation reminiscent of Moscow’s laws, analysts warn against categorizing Ivanishvili simply as a pawn of Putin. Thomas de Waal from Carnegie Europe points out that while he does appease Russia, Ivanishvili seems to operate independently, echoing the tactics of Hungary’s Viktor Orbán by promoting conservative values and calling for “peace” in Ukraine without directly condemning Russian actions.
As the dust settles from the elections, uncertainty looms over Georgia’s political landscape. The opposition has refused to concede defeat, alleging a “constitutional coup” and calling for protests, which threatens to ignite tensions in a nation with a fraught history of unrest.
Despite allegations of election irregularities and coercion, it’s clear that Ivanishvili’s messages resonate with a significant segment of Georgian voters, particularly in industrial and conservative regions where economic progress remains sluggish and aspirations of European integration feel distantly out of reach. As one western official noted, “It’s tempting for the opposition to dismiss Ivanishvili’s party as lacking support. But the reality is he appears to have won this battle for the time being.”