Georgian Dream

For the political coalition with the same name that existed from 2012 to 2016, seeGeorgian Dream (political coalition).

Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia(GD),also colloquially known as theKotsebi,is aculturally conservativeandpopulistpolitical partyinGeorgia,which rules the country since 2012 with increasingauthoritarianhand.Bidzina Ivanishvili,who founded the party on 19 April 2012 and is widely considered to be thede factoleader of Georgia, serves as the party's honorary chairman. The party's electoral number is 41.

Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia ქართული ოცნება – დემოკრატიული საქართველო
Chairman	Irakli Garibashvili
Secretary-General	Kakha Kaladze
Honorary Chairman	Bidzina Ivanishvili
Executive Secretary	Mamuka Mdinaradze
Political Secretary	Irakli Kobakhidze
Regional Secretary	Dimitri Samkharadze
Relations with Political Parties Secretary	Gia Volski
Founder	Bidzina Ivanishvili
Founded	21 April 2012
Registered	7 May 2012
Membership(2023)	42,000
Ideology	Populism Conservatism Social market economy Euroscepticism
Political position	Syncretic Fiscal:Centre-left Social:Right-wing
National affiliation	Georgian Dream (coalition)(until 2016)
European affiliation	Party of European Socialists(observer) (2015–2023)
International affiliation	Progressive Alliance (until 2023)
Colors	BlueandAmber
Slogan	მხოლოდ მშვიდობით, ღირსებითა და კეთილდღეობით ევროპისკენ ('Only with peace, dignity, and prosperity to Europe')
Seats InParliament	79 / 150
MunicipalCouncilors	1,333 / 2,068
Seats InSupreme Council of Adjara	13 / 21
Seats InTbilisi City Assembly	29 / 50
Seats InKutaisi City Assembly	18 / 35
Seats InBatumi City Assembly	16 / 35
MunicipalMayors	63 / 64
Party flag
Website
gd.ge
Politics of Georgia Political parties Elections ^A:The party has been variously described as centre-left,fiscally centre-left but socially conservative,nominally centre-left,centre to centre-left,right-wing,conservativeleft-conservative,and social democratic.Some observers have also accused it of adopting far-right ideas.

The party won thegeneral electionin 2012, being part of an eclectic coalition also calledGeorgian Dream,which included bothpro-Westernliberalandanti-NATOnationalistparties.Subsequently, the Georgian Dream party (independent of its coalition) won the2016,2020,and the disputed2024general elections.

Georgian Dream originally declared itself acentre-left,pro-Europeanpartyand was an observer member of theParty of European Socialists(PES). However, over time it moved in an explicitlyculturally conservative,illiberal,andEuroscepticdirection, leading to its expulsion by PES in 2023.It is today described as a "left-conservative" orsyncreticparty,despite remaining to the left on fiscal matters;The main criticism of the party has always been its allegedanti-Westernandpro-Russiaforeign policy, which the party denies.It has also been accused of vote-bribing,democratic backsliding,authoritarianismandautocraticgovernance.

Since the start of theRussian invasion of Ukraine,Georgian Dream has promoted anti-Western narratives, including baseless claims about a "Global War Party"attempting to drag Georgia into a devastating war against Russia.Georgian Dream has also passed legislation considered by theUnited StatesandEuropean Unionas contradicting the country'sEUandNATOcandidacy commitments. In 2024, the U.S. begansanctioningleading Georgian Dream officials for "undermining democracy","violating human rights, and working for the benefit of the Russian Federation".GD leaders have also been sanctioned by several EU member states for similar reasons.

History

Political context

By 2011, theUnited National Movementgovernment led by the PresidentMikheil Saakashvilihad become increasingly unpopular during its rule since 2004 for itsneoliberaleconomic policy, extremely punitive criminal justice system and confrontational approach to Russia. The violent dispersal of2007and2011demonstrations, scandals such as the 2006Sandro Girgvliani murder caseand the loss of territories through the 2008Russo-Georgian Warcontributed to the party's increasing loss of support among the general populace. A range of other infringements on privacy and legal rights in combination with intimidation and coercion of the business sector added to the grievances.

Given this context,Bidzina Ivanishvili,anoligarchprimarily known for charity work and contributions to public projects, decided to step out of the shadow and lead the political opposition against Saakashvili by uniting the opposition, mobilizing popular support and subsequently capitalizing on the public discontent.

Foundation

See also:Georgian Dream (political coalition)

Bidzina Ivanishvili,the founder and honorary Chairman of Georgian Dream

In December 2011, Ivanishvili launched the Georgian Dream movement as a platform for his political activities and staged several mass demonstrations against the Saakashvili government. Four months later, on 21 April 2012, Georgian Dream was launched as a political party. Since Ivanishvili was not a Georgian citizen at the moment of the party's inaugural session, lawyerManana Kobakhidzewas elected as an interim, nominal chairman of the party.

The party also included several notable people such as the politicianSozar Subari,former diplomatTedo Japaridze,chess grandmasterZurab Azmaiparashvili,writerGuram Odishariaand famedfootballerKakha Kaladze,which helped it consolidate support.The name of the party was inspired by a rap song of Ivanishvili's sonBera.

On 21 February 2012, Ivanishvili announced the formation of acoalitioncentered around his party, together withRepublican Party of Georgia,Our Georgia – Free Democrats,andNational Forum,pledging to increase welfare spending and to pursue a more pragmatic approach with Russia while maintaining a pro-Western and pro-NATO foreign policy.In subsequent months, two other opposition parties joined the coalition: theConservative Party of GeorgiaandIndustry Will Save Georgia.

First term: coalition rule (2012–2016)

See also:2012 Georgian parliamentary election

The six-party Georgian Dream coalition led by Ivanishvili successfully challenged the rulingUnited National Movementin the2012 parliamentary election.It won 54.97% of the vote, while UNM received 40.34%, granting the coalition a majority of 85 seats in parliament. The remaining 65 seats went to UNM.PresidentSaakashvili conceded the loss and pledged to support the constitutional process of forming a new government.This was the first democratic transfer of power in Georgia.The election also marked the beginning of the transition from apresidential systemto aparliamentary systemof government.

Giorgi MargvelashviliandBidzina Ivanishviliin 2013

On 25 October 2012, Ivanishvili was elected as theprime minister of Georgia.He had requested Saakashvili to step down as president, but the latter decided to complete his final term, which meant an uneasy politicalcohabitationthroughout 2013.The new government introduced the State Universal Healthcare Program, making emergency surgeries and childbirth free of charge, increased welfare spending, and initiated reforms on self-governance, law enforcement agencies, and agriculture.Georgian Dream additionally began to persecute former government and opposition officials on charges of corruption, abuse of power, and torture.

In October 2013, Georgian Dream nominated candidateGiorgi Margvelashviliwon thepresidential electionin the first round with 61.1% of the vote. Saakashvili soon left the country amid threats that too would be persecuted.Having looked over the transfer of power, Ivanishvili stepped down as prime minister, formally quitting the political arena, while running the government from behind the scenes.

PMGiorgi KvirikashviliwithState SecretaryJohn KerryinTbilisi

Ivanishvili was succeeded byIrakli Garibashvili,under whose tenure Georgia made major steps towardsEuropean Unionintegration. In June 2014 Georgia signed the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, both of which were initiated under the Saakashvili-led government. Meanwhile, cracks appeared within the Georgian Dream coalition.Free Democratsleft the coalition in November 2014 when Defence MinisterIrakli Alasania,a member of the party, was fired by Garibashvili.Soon after becoming president, Margvelashvili's relations with the parliamentary wing of the party became strained as he was critical of what he saw as Georgian Dream's consolidation of power.He was the first president in Georgia's history not to seek reelection for a second term.

Prime Minister Garibashvili was succeeded in December 2015 byGiorgi Kvirikashvili,whose government focused on economic growth as well as strengthening relations with the West.TheEuropean Commissionrecommended visa-free travel for the citizens of Georgia to theSchengen Area,with theEuropean Counciland theEuropean Parliamentgiving the final approval in 2017.

Second term: absolute majority (2016–2020)

See also:2016 Georgian parliamentary election

Prior to the2016 parliamentary election,it was announced in March 2016 that the Georgian Dream coalition would be dissolved as its members decided to run separately in the election.Following this, the National Forum left the Georgian Dream parliamentary majority in April 2016, while four other parties formally remained in the majority group until the election.

Despite the coalition falling apart, Kvirikashvili led Georgian Dream to a landslide victory in the2016 Georgian parliamentary election,winning aconstitutional majorityof 115 seats out of 150. Utilizing their supermajority, Georgian Dream made grand amendments to theconstitution,such as completing the transition to aparliamentary systemand the abolition of the direct presidential elections.

PresidentZourabichviliin 2019

In April 2018, Ivanishvili returned to politics when he was appointed the chairman of the Georgian Dream party. His comeback was taken for granted as he had retained overwhelming sway over the party ever since his formal resignation in 2013.Prime Minister Kvirikashvili suddenly resigned in June 2018, claiming "disagreements with the leader of the ruling party" as the reason for his resignation.He was succeeded by a political newcomerMamuka Bakhtadze.

In August 2018, the Chairman of the ParliamentIrakli Kobakhidzeannounced that the party would not nominate a candidate for the2018 presidential elections.Instead, it would endorse the independent candidateSalome Zourabichvili.After a stronger than expected performance from the opposition in the first round, Ivanishvili put together a scheme in which the debts of 600,000 Georgians would be written-off and covered by his charity, in an attempt to secure Zourabichvili's victory. It was considered "an unprecedented case of vote-bribing".The government supported scheme was enough to boost Georgian Dream's popularity and give Zourabichvili a victory in the second round.

Gavrilov's Night

Main article:2019 protests in Georgia (country)

The summer of 2019 set off a prolonged period of political unrest and civil discontent with Georgian Dream's rule. On 20 June 2019,Parliament of Georgiahosted theInterparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy,an organization set up by theGreek parliamentto unite Orthodox Christian lawmakers worldwide. With both Russia and Georgia being members of the organization, the Russian delegation arrived to take part in the session in the Georgian parliament. The session was opened with a speech fromSergei Gavrilov,a Russian lawmaker from theCommunist Party of the Russian Federation,whilst sitting in the chair of the Head of Parliament.

Gavrilov's Nightprotests, day 2

Opposition members said it was denigrating of Georgian sovereignty and completely unacceptable that Gavrilov presided over a session in Georgian parliament, as a representative of the occupying power with a history of casting anti-Georgia votes.The opposition called for protests in front of the parliament building. Some representatives of Georgian Dream said the action of Gavrilov was a provocation and claimed the session should have been chaired by the Greek deputyAnastasios Nerantzis.Gavrilov however, insisted he was instructed by the protocol service of Georgian parliament.

PMMamuka Bakhtadzein 2019

That same day, a large protest took place in front of Parliament, which was violently dispersed by the orders of Interior MinisterGiorgi Gakharia.It became known as Gavrilov's Night. Georgian Dream leader Ivanishvili said the protest was legitimate, but the situation was exploited by the opposition parties to storm the parliament building, thus the police measures were necessary to prevent acoup.Theprotests continuedfor months, demanding electoral reforms, snap elections, and resignations from the ruling party. Despite some concessions from Georgian Dream, such as the resignation of the chairman of parliament and the partial electoral amendments, the protests did not stop.

On 2 September 2019, Bakhtadze resigned from his position as prime minister. In a letter he published onFacebook,he stated that he "decided to resign because I believe I have fulfilled my mission at this point".Ivanishvili personally nominated Gakharia as his replacement, praising him for his ability to manage crises. The opposition boycotted Gakharia's confirmation vote.

Third term: Tensions with the West (2020–present)

See also:2020 Georgian parliamentary election

PMGiorgi Gakhariameeting with theUSdelegation

Prime Minister Gakharia presided over the government's initially swift handling of theCOVID-19 pandemic.It helped the party regain the support it had lost in the aftermath of the Gavrilov's Night scandal. Georgian Dream was able to re-create its 2016 performance in the popular vote but lost 25 seats under the amended electoral system. The number of single-mandate majoritarian districts was reduced and the threshold was lowered from 5% to 1%, to create a more proportional system, an internationally mediated compromise as a result of the protests.The opposition decried the results as illegitimate and responded by organizing protests and refusing to participate in the new parliament.

TheOSCE-ODIHRelection observation mission in its preliminary conclusions noted that the elections "were competitive and, overall, fundamental freedoms were respected", but it also said that the "pervasive allegations of pressure on voters and blurring of the line between the ruling party and the state reduced public confidence in some aspects of the process".On 11 January 2021, amidst the2020–2021 Georgian political crisis,Ivanishvili announced that he was decisively leaving politics and resigned as Chairman of Georgian Dream, stating that "he had accomplished his goal".

Garibashvili's return

Irakli Gharibashviliin 2021

Gakharia resigned as Prime Minister in February 2021, citing his opposition to the court-ordered arrest of his political rival UNM leaderNika Meliaon charges of organizing violence in the 2019 protests. He shortly announced his departure from Georgian Dream. Several MPs from Georgian Dream joined him to form theFor Georgiaparty.Garibashvili was selected as his successor, heading theSecond Garibashvili government,who immediately ordered the arrest of Melia.

On 19 April 2021, Georgian Dream and the opposition signed an agreement mediated byCharles Michel,President of the European Council,which ended the six-monthpolitical crisisthat stemmed from the contested 2020 parliamentary election. The agreement stipulated snap parliamentary elections if Georgian Dream would garner less than 43% of the vote in theOctober 2021 local elections.Most parties signed the agreement and most of the elected opposition MPs took up their parliamentary mandates which they had refused until then. However, the largest opposition party United National Movement refused to join the agreement, which led Georgian Dream to withdraw from the agreement two months before the 2021 local elections. According to the head of the Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze, the agreement "failed to accomplish its goals" because UNM refused to join it.

Georgian Dream managed to secure victory in the 2021 local elections, gaining 46.75% of the vote. The mayoral candidates from Georgian Dream won in all municipalities exceptTsalenjikha.However, the party lost its majority in 7 out of 64 municipal assemblies.

Russian invasion of Ukraine

Georgian Dream Faction inGeorgian Parliamentafter the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

After theRussian invasion of Ukrainein February 2022, Georgian Dream aided Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance and sheltering refugees, while also consistently supporting it at the diplomatic level.As such, 245,000 refugees from Ukraine have crossed into Georgia, primarily from the heavily war-affected areas in theEastern Ukraine.The Georgian government responded by providing temporary accommodation and access to healthcare and education.However, it did not join economic sanctions imposed on Russia by several Western countries and refused to provide military assistance to Ukraine.Prime Minister Garibashvili argued in 2023 that sanctioning Russia would harm Georgia more than Russia, due to its dependence on Russian trade rather than vice versa.He also accused the West of double standards, as it did not impose sanctions in 2008 when Georgia was invaded by Russia, and continuing "business as usual".

Ever since the start of the war, Georgia has seen an increase in trade with Russia. Exports to Russia rose by 7% in 2022 while imports increased by 79%, making Georgia economically more reliant on Russia, as opposed to the trade between the EU and Russia, which decreased to a third of its original volume, with Russia's share in the EU's imports having fallen from 9.5% to 1.7%.Additionally, the trade between the two countries rapidly grew in 2023 as well.While Georgia did not take part in the economic sanctions against Russia, it initially did "act fully in accordance with the financial sanctions" imposed by the United States and others.In 2024 reports surfaced however that the National Bank of Georgia was facilitating Russian importers to avoid Western financial sanctions by settling accounts in rubles.

Russia abolished the visa regime for Georgians in May 2023 and lifted flight sanctions that were in place since July 2019.Direct flights resumed within a few weeks, despite European and American objections.Georgian Dream officials strongly defended the resumption of flights "as a step in the interests of the Georgian state and people".The US ambassador to Georgia said the step undermined European sanctions and travel restrictions against Russia, by providing a "gateway for Russians to flood Europe".

EU candidacy

Georgian Dream celebrating theEU candidate status,15 December 2023

During the 2020 election campaign, Georgian Dream pledged to apply for membership in theEuropean Unionin 2024. When Ukraine announced its application four days after the start of theRussian invasion,Georgian opposition politicians called for the country to do the same.However, Georgian Dream reacted reluctantly, saying that not all commitments to apply had been fulfilled yet, and that Ukraine's case was rather a "political gesture" by the European Union amid the Ukraine war, a case that would not have applied to Georgia as it was not in the war. Thus, the party initially said that it would stick to its original schedule.Nonetheless, it soon yielded to the pressure from the public and announced on 2 March 2022 to apply for EU membership, citing "the changed situation in the world".

The relations with the EU soon deteriorated, a process that had already started when Garibashvili returned as Prime Minister in 2021. On 9 June 2022, the European Parliament adopted a six-page resolution that accused the government of Georgia of eroding press freedom in the country. It also recommended the European Council to sanction Ivanishvili for "his role in the deterioration of the political process in Georgia", the "level of control he exerts over the government and its decisions, including those on the politically motivated persecution of journalists and political opponents", and his "exposed personal and business links to the Kremlin, which determine the position of the current Government of Georgia towards sanctions on Russia".In the same month, the European Union granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, but postponed it for Georgia, citing the need for reforms by the ruling party.

In the second half of her tenure, President Zourabichvili became increasingly alienated from Georgian Dream, as she criticized the government for what she described as the lack of commitment to the EU candidacy and limited support to Ukraine. In response, the government of PM Garibashvili denounced the President on a few occasions for traveling abroad where she planned to visitBrusselsandPariswithout government authorization.In the fall of 2023 Georgian Dream alleged Zourabichvili had violated the Constitution with these actions, but ultimately failed to impeach her due to lack of parliamentary support from the opposition.

In December 2023, the EU granted Georgia candidate status and it first and foremost congratulated the Georgian people instead of the government.Nevertheless, the Georgian Dream government had only fulfilled 3 out of the 12 priorities it got from the EU to earn the candidate status.

On 30 December 2023 Ivanishvili declared his return to politics.A month later, Garibashvili announced his resignation as Prime Minister, citing the importance of inter-party democracy and the need to "give others a chance". Garibashvili became the Chairman of the Georgian Dream party, while Irakli Kobakhidze replaced him as Prime Minister.

"Global War Party"

Main article:Global War Party

Irakli Kobakhidzewho has frequently advanced the "Global War Party" conspiracy theory

Shortly after the start of theRussian invasion of Ukrainein 2022, several Ukrainian officials made remarks suggesting Georgia andMoldovato open a "second front" againstRussia.Georgian Dream officials have heavily criticized those remarks, stating that a war with Russia would cause significant harm to Georgia.Georgian Dream MPGia Volskicalled on the EU and US to "distance themselves" from statements from some Ukrainian officials to "see Georgia engage in war".

Soon after, Georgian Dream's rhetoric turned conspiratorial accusing the so-called "Global War Party"of being behind such calls with which several pro-Western opposition parties are allegedly affiliated.The party has recently expanded the conspiracy theory to accuse the alleged organization of being behind theattempted assassination of Robert FicoandDonald Trump.Kobakhidze has further alleged threats on his life as well as a plot to topple his government.The Western officials has dismissed the government's claims, with theUS Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian AffairsJames C. O'Brienreferring to it as "Reddit page coming to life".

Meanwhile, in 2022 a total of nine MPs left the Georgian Dream parliamentary faction to establishPeople's Powerparty. The MPs maintained their support for the government and are a part of the parliamentary majority. They explain their reasons for leaving as not being given the freedom to speak "the truth about the West" and its officials. The MPs expressed strong anti-western sentiments and spread conspiracy theories such as that in exchange for EU candidate status, the West ordered Georgia to partially give up its sovereignty and go to war with Russia.

Foreign agent law

Main article:2023–2024 Georgian protests

Protestheld on 8 March 2023

In March 2023, Georgian Dream supported the drafting of the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence" which was presented by the People's Power party. Supporters of the bill have argued that it is needed to prevent foreign influence in Georgian politics and uphold the country's sovereignty.The law would labelcivil societyand media organizations that receive more than 20% of their total funding from abroad as "foreign agents", similar tolegislation introduced in Russia in 2012.Subsequently, it was denounced as a "Russian law" by the Georgian opposition and civil society. The proposed law was also criticized by the US State Department, theUnited Nations,and the European Union as it would stigmatize civil society and independent media organizations.Major protestsin March 2023 after forced Georgian Dream to pull its hands from the bill, promising they would not attempt to revive the legislation.However, the promise was short-lived as Georgian Dream reintroduced and passed the 'foreign agent' bill in the spring of 2024.

Standoff with the riot police during aprotestheld on 30 April 2024

The step triggered the largest protests in Georgia's post-independence history as well as widespread condemnation from Western officials, withPresident of the European CommissionUrsula von der Leyenwriting "the law on foreign influence transparency goes against core principles & values of the EU", theHigh Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security PolicyJosep Borrellcalled the bill "incompatible with EU values and standards" andDanish Foreign Ministrybluntly stating "Georgia will not advance on the path to EU membership".Afterwards, President Salome Zourabichvili referred to the ruling party as the "Russian Dream".

A protestor after being beaten by riot police

The government has been widely condemned for the use of excessive and disproportionate force when dispersing protests.Riot police has been accused of consistent use ofviolenceandtortureagainst protestors as well as opposition political figures, including UNM ChairLevan Khabeishvilias well as theCitizenschairAleko Elisashvili.Even though the law enforcement has claimed to have opened a case into the claims of the use of excessive force, no police officer has been charged yet.Furthermore, Prime Minister Kobakhidze has thanked Georgian police for handling protests with "higher standards" than in Europe or the United States. He did, however, single out "a few isolated incidents".

Georgian Dream has been accused of deploying what its critics are callingTitushkys.The so-called Titushkys have taken part in mass beatings of opposition, civil society, and protestors,damaging and defacing the opposition parties and NGO's offices,and disrupting public events organized by the opposition.The opposition has accused the government of being directly involved in the violence, a claim that was virtually admitted by the Georgian Dream lawmakerDito Samkharadze.While investigations have started no charges have been given out.

Sanctions against Georgian Dream

United States Senatein May 2024 considered a bipartisan Georgia sanctions bill that would target the Georgian Dream lawmakers, their families, and others who "have material responsibility for undermining or injuring democracy, human rights, or security in Georgia".Similar sanctions as well as suspension of visa-free travel for the country have been pushed by several EU countries.Mamuka Mdinaradze,the parliamentary majority leader, has stated that threatening Georgian officials with sanctions over passing legislation is unacceptable and instead asked the US to take steps that will strengthenGeorgia-US partnership,like the introduction of free economic relations, visa liberalization, and direct flights with Georgia.The party has accused the United States of conducting a "policy of blackmail, intimidation".

On 6 June theUnited Statesannounced sanctions against Members of the Georgian Dream party, members ofParliament,law enforcement,private citizens, along their immediate family members, "responsible for or complicit inundermining democracyin Georgia, such as undermining thefreedom of peaceful assembly and association,violently attacking peaceful protesters,intimidatingcivil societyrepresentatives, and deliberately spreading disinformation at the direction of theGeorgian government".

2024 parliamentary election

Georgian Dream electoral billboard 'Only with peace, dignity, and prosperity to Europe'

Ahead of the2024 parliamentary electionGeorgian Dream announced that it along with its more explicit anti-Western offshootPeople's Powerwould run on the same list.Georgian Dream presented the election as a choice between "war and peace, moral degradation and traditional values, Georgia's subservience to external powers and an independent and sovereign state". The party promised to ban "LGBT propaganda" and change the constitution in ways that it sees could make reunification with the separatist territories easier.

Georgian Dream has urged its supporters to grant them a constitutional majority, promising to use it to initiate a ban on the "collective National Movement", a term they use to refer to nearly all the major pro-Western parties, and declare them unconstitutional. The party has gone on to specify the term includes United National Movement,Strategy Agmashenebeli,European Georgia,Ahali,Girchi – More Freedom,Droa,Lelo for Georgia,For the People,Citizens,Freedom Square,andFor Georgia.Georgian Dream justifies the ban by accusing the parties of collaborating with UNM, which GD considers to have committed crimes during its rule, such as "dragging country in the2008 war with Russia"and instituting"the system of violence and torture".The party has compared the process to theNuremberg trials.Analysts have warned that, if implemented, this move would mark "the end of Georgia's democracy".

Ideology

Georgiam Dream positions itself as acentre-leftparty.However, political observers note that it has governed amorphously and lacks a clear ideology like manyparties of power.Georgian Dream was initially considered a 'big tent' party, based on the different political strains that were present within the party, includingsocial democracy,market liberalismandsocial conservatism.Its origins as an all-encompassing front in opposition to theUnited National Movementgovernment contributed to the opaque political ideology. Georgian political scientist Levan Lortkipanidze described Georgian Dream as "a party which is held together through loyalty to its charismatic leader and the opposition to the government of the 'Rose Revolution' "(UNM).Ivanishvili's form of government in the early years was described as "popularoligarchy".The party was described as adhering to the "ideology-free"technocratic populism:transcendingright–left ideological landscape.

Lately, Georgian Dream has been characterized as being more ideologically consistent. It is commonly labeled asconservative,,left-conservative,ultraconservative,national conservative,orpopulist.Moreover, the party officials increasingly self-identified the party as "conservative" or "traditionalist" by 2023.However, the party has also maintained itscentre-leftself-identification, condemning theParty of European Socialistsfor deviating from "classical social-democratic ideology" to "a pseudo-liberal platform".The condemnation of the "pseudo-liberalism" and "liberal fascism"has often featured in the Georgian Dream rhetoric, usually concerning the sexual and gender matters.Its style of governance has been generally described asilliberal,autocratic,as well asauthoritarian.By 2025, the party has been described as "conservative left", adopting socially conservative and economically left-wing policies, as well as becoming increasingly "autocratic" in rhetoric.Additionally, allegations ofdemocratic backslidingare common.

In terms of foreign policy, duringits first election,Georgian Dream was described as the conciliatory alternative to the more resolutely anti-Russian government of Saakashvili.The party supported joining theEuropean UnionandNATO,while also promising balanced and friendly relations withRussia.However, analysts frequently describe the party's foreign policy asanti-Western,Eurosceptic,andpro-Russian,despite the party itself rejecting such characterizations.Regarding theEuropean integration,since mid-2019, with the rise of illiberalism within the party, it also became more critical of the European Union andsoft Euroscepticin its rhetoric, still promising to join the EU but only "whilst playing by Georgian rules".Political analysts describe this ideological shift in Georgian Dream assovereigntism,closely associated withHungaryand particularlyViktor Orbán,who has become Georgian Dream's key ally and ideological influence, fueling the "Orbanization of Georgia".Georgian Dream leaders have maintained the party's official goal is still the Western integration, stating that Georgia will become "a member of the big family called Europe with our own identity and sovereignty".Shalva Papuashvili,Georgian Dream's chair of parliament, has positioned the party as the only political force in Georgia "merging Europeanism and patriotism".The analysts described the party's rhetoric on European Union and the European Integration since 2023 as being based on the idea of "two Europes": the "Good Europe" which is illiberal, traditional, moral, independent and just, represented by Orban government in Hungary, and the "Bad Europe", represented byBrussels,which is immoral, lacking values, undignified, unjust and controlled byshadowy powers.Political analyst and a former member ofGeorgian Dream coalitionPaata Zakareishvili, has described the party as "undemocratic but not anti-democratic, not Western but not anti-Western, not Russian but not anti-Russian."

Economic policy

Georgian Dream espouses centre-left fiscal and economic views, based on maintaining welfare state, free-of-charge public healthcare and education, regulatory approach to the market, and a number ofenvironmental protectionpolicies.According to the Georgian Institute of Politics, Georgian Dream's economic policy by 2017 was a combination of the pre-existingfree marketmodel, created by their predecessor United National Movement party, with a comprehensivesocial safetynet.The party supports welfare state expansion.Its social policies included the introduction ofuniversal healthcareand a new labor code. However, a number of left-wing activists viewed the party as "ideologically amorphous", while Prime MinisterGiorgi Kvirikashvilidescribed himself as "more of a centre-right politician".

In 2017, Georgian Dream deputies supported the removal of the constitutional ban onprogressive taxationand the requirement to hold a referendum to raise corporate and income tax rates. These provisions were implemented in 2011 by the former ruling UNM party through itsEconomic Liberty Act.The proposal to amend the law was opposed by business groups and the political opposition, after which a compromise was reached that the ban would remain in place until 2029.

The party also professed a commitment to "economic openness" and "market-driven growth". The main message of the 2020 election manifesto was 'effective' government and 'social prosperity'.The economic section of the 2020 election manifesto advocated the continuation of low taxes, free market, small government, and less regulation, effectively containing some centre-right proposals.

During his address to the Georgian Parliament in February 2021, Prime Minister-designate Irakli Garibashvili criticized the idea of aminimal stateand the "invisible handof the market ". He said the" small state idea is a myth impeding the country's development "and called on the government to play anactive role in the economy,emphasizing that Georgia should become economically more self-sufficient.He criticized the previous government for its free-market approach to economics. The speech was described as "a remarkable rhetorical break from Georgian political orthodoxy", which was more or less always supportive of thefree market economicsand economic non-interventionism since its introduction by UNM and continuation by Georgian Dream.

Social policy

Despite the fact that Georgian Dream has always espoused rather conservative social views, the party has experienced a notable right-wing shift, with the party being accused of adoptingfar-rightideas onLGBT rightsand other social and cultural issues.According to some analysts, during its first years the Georgian Dream had little in common ideologically with the right-wing movements such asAlliance of PatriotsandGeorgian March,and although at times it found them as useful allies against the common enemy — theUnited National Movementof former PresidentMikheil Saakashvili— the Georgian Dream's rhetoric and actions began to be consistently characterized as "influenced by the illiberal ideas" only by 2024.Nevertheless, the party is described as having progressive green values as well as a liberal position on the rights of ethnic minorities.

LGBT rights

Even though Georgian Dream had a largelysocially conservativeand religious base, as many priests of theGeorgian Orthodox Churchsupported the party coming to power in 2012, Georgian Dream initially had a relatively liberal approach to LGBT rights.Prior to a rally to mark theInternational Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobiain May 2013, Prime Minister Ivanishvili openly defended LGBT rights by saying they "have the same rights as any other social groups" in Georgia and that "society will gradually get used to it".In a highly conservative and religious society, Ivanishvili became the first Georgian politician to openly make such statement.However, the party failed to stop the rally being violently disrupted by tens of thousands of anti-gay protesters led by Orthodox Church clergy.

As precondition for Georgia to obtain relaxed visa procedures with theEuropean Union,the Georgian Dream government passed ananti-discrimination lawin 2014,which also providedprotection against discrimination of sexual minorities,making Georgia the mostLGBT-friendly country in theSouth Caucasus.The law was highly criticized by theGeorgian Orthodox Church.

However, Georgian Dream opposessame-sex marriage in Georgia.In response to conservative criticism of the anti-discrimination law, Georgian Dream proposed to put a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, despite an existing implicit ban in the Civil Code.Prime Minister Garibashvili said this step was necessary to avoid confusion in society that the anti-discrimination law granted any new rights or privileges to any group and that it would lead to same-sex marriages in the future.The constitution was eventually amended in 2018, defining marriage as "a union between a woman and a man for the purpose of creating a family".

Over time, the party has grown more conservative and outspoken against what they perceive as "LGBT-propaganda"and has been accused of usinghomophobiaas a political tool.In July 2021, Prime MinisterIrakli Garibashviliargued against holding thegay paradeonRustaveli Avenuein Tbilisi as "unreasonable", offering alternative locations, saying it contains the risk of "civil confrontation" as the majority of the populace finds such a parade "unacceptable".The parade was cancelled when the authorities did not provide safety guarantees.Garibashivili's remarks prompted thousands of far-right radicals toattack the Tbilisi Prideoffice, activists and journalists, which led to dozens being injured.Garibashvili dismissed the attack as "very unfortunate", but said that "violence happens everywhere", for whichTbilisi Pridecriticized him as "homophobic" and "anti-state".

Two years later, the party denounced "LGBT propaganda among children" andblamed it forincreasing numbers of people who identify as LGBT in Western countries. In a speech at the ultra-conservativeCPAC-conference, Garibashvili spoke of the importance of preserving "traditional values" and the inadmissibility of "violence by the minority against the majority" in a denunciation of "aggressive propaganda" as a tool to forcefully change the traditional values of the majority.

Georgian Dream introducedconstitutional amendmentsin 2024 to "protect family values and minors" and to allow marriage only of "a union of a single genetic male and a single genetic female", narrowing the marriage rights on top of the already existing ban onsame-sex marriage.The amendments would further prohibit what the party calls "LGBT propaganda",gender transitionandadoption of children by same-sex couples.

Drug policy

Georgian Dream has a liberal policy regardingmarijuana.In June 2017, the Prime MinisterGiorgi Kvirikashviliscrupulously expressed his support fordrug liberalization,saying that harsh drug policy goes against human rights.However, the government made little progress on the reform, arguably because of its largelysocially conservativebase and influence ofGeorgian Orthodox Churchin the country, which spurred the2018 Georgian protestsfollowing anightclubraid over illegal drug trade. As a result of a lawsuit by the members ofGirchiparty, theConstitutional Court of Georgialegalized the personal use of marijuana. Thus, the constitutional court spearheaded the reform promised by the prime minister.Georgia became the first country the first post-Soviet country to legalize the consumption of marijuana.

On 11 September 2018, it became known that Georgian Dream was considering a draft law to legalize medical marijuana cultivation and production.However, the idea was abandoned following strong protests from theGeorgian Orthodox Church.Therefore, while personal use of cannabis is legal in Georgia, large-scale cultivation and sale of cannabis is illegal.

During the 2024Conservative Political Action Conferencein Hungary, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze denounced thedrug liberalizationcampaigns, describing the drugs as "transforming a person from an intelligent individual into a subject devoid of values".In February 2025, the Georgian Dream announced the legislative amendments to toughen drug policies.

Gender equality

The party had an ambiguous position on gender equality. In 2017, the party voted in favor of the ratification of theIstanbul Conventionin Georgia and it launched an amendment to the Election Code introducing gender quota. This would require political parties that participate in elections to include women in every fourth position on their party lists, in order to increase female representation in politics. However, the initiative failed to pass through parliament.Ahead of the2020 Georgian parliamentary election,the gender quota for political parties was adopted, albeit under pressure of the European Union and theOSCE.Further amendments to extend and expand the quota were adopted in February 2023.However, in 2024 Georgian Dream backtracked on its earlier position and supported the initiative of theright-libertarianGirchiparty to repeal the gender quota legislation.

Abortion

In 2013, theGeorgian Orthodox Churchcalled the Georgian government to ban abortions, which it described as a "terrible sin" and "heinous murder", while blaming it for the "grave demographic situation" in the country. Georgia's then Prime MinisterBidzina Ivanishvilibrushed off the proposal, stating that solving demographic problems "first and foremost needs economic development".

Migration

After the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Georgia emerged as one of the most popular destinations for Russians who have left their country following the start of the war as Georgia has visa free regime towards Russian citizens since 2015. Georgian Dream described their arrival as "a new economic opportunity" and downplayed criticism as "hysterical".However, in February 2025, the party announced its intention to tighten migration laws.During the 2024Conservative Political Action Conferencein Hungary, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze criticized the "uncontrolled migration"in the European countries. He warned that that if the mass migration continued in the European countries, the local population would soon become a minority.

Religion

During the2024 Georgian parliamentary electioncampaign,Bidzina Ivanishvili,the honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream, unveiled the party's proposal to make theOrthodox Christianityastate religionin Georgia. The ruling party presented this initiative as part of their commitment to uphold "national values and traditions," in line with their campaign promises to ban "LGBT propaganda"and reinforce the role of the Church.Ivanishvili said that Christianity, along with the homeland and language, was "one of the key foundations of our [Georgian] identity".During theConservative Political Action Conferencein Hungary, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze noted that Georgia adopted theChristianityas its state religion back in the 4th century, and emphasized that the Christianity has importantly shaped the Georgian national identity, using the slogan of the 19th centuryGeorgian nationalistwriter,Ilia Chavchavadze— "Language, Homeland, Faith".

In contrast, the Georgian Orthodox Church has expressed skepticism, fearing that such a change could compromise its independence and increase government control. High-ranking clergy members, including MetropolitanShio Mujiriand MetropolitanNikoloz Pachuashvili,have raised concerns about the potential implications of this proposal, arguing that it could alter the traditionally independent yet cooperative relationship between the state and the Church established by the2002 Concordat.The Georgian Orthodox Church spokesman Andria Jaghmaidze praised the proposal for "upholding the national values and traditions" and reflecting the government's desire to "strengthen the Church's role and status further", but also described it as "spontaneous" and suggested that the idea required the further deliberation.After the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) turned down the ruling party's proposal on declaring the GOC as the state religion in Georgia, on 31 August, during the campaign rally speech inOzurgeti,Bidzina Ivanishvili once again addressed the issue. He confirmed the ongoing discussions between the Georgian Orthodox Church and the ruling party on the constitutional status of the Georgian Orthodox Church. He said that the proposed amendment by the ruling party would clarify the Orthodox Christianity as the "pillar of the Georgian statehood" and emphasize its role in the country's history and present.

Green policy

The party has consistently projected a progressive image onenvironmental issues.The party advocates for banning old cars for their high carbon emissions and introducing a corporategreen taxfor businesses that cause environmental pollution.Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi, has highlighted the importance of taking some "unpopular steps" in order to improve the existing ecological situation and creategreen spaces.Nevertheless, somegreen activistshave questioned the party's environmentalist credentials.

Foreign policy

On foreign policy, Georgian Dream positions itself in favor of joiningNATOand theEuropean Union,which the far majority of Georgians support,while at the same time "restoring friendly relations with Russia", as outlined by Ivanishvili in January 2013.However, the party's commitment toEuro-Atlantic aspirationsis consistently questioned as is its alleged pivot towardsRussia.

European Union and NATO

See also:Georgia–European Union relationsandGeorgia–NATO relations

Semi-torn Georgian Dream election posters stating "fatherland, language, faith" at the top and "with dignity to Europe" at the bottom.

Although proclaiming apro-Europeanagenda, since the 2020s Georgian Dream's actual policy on the European Union has been described asEurosceptic.The party has positioned itself as combining Western values and Georgian traditional values, as well as being in favor of the European integration while safeguarding Georgia from what it considers as unnecessary and excessive encroachment on its sovereignty from the European institutions.Critics have denounced this as "doublethink",stating the party says" they favor accession to the European Union, but their actions aim to purge EU values from the country ".

In its first ruling term, Georgian Dream achieved significant steps towardsEuropean integration,such as anAssociation Agreementand visa-free travel to theSchengen Area.In its second ruling term, Georgian Dream focused on integration rather than accession of Euro-Atlantic structures as end-goal, in a "realistic" adjustment of its foreign policy.However, the more Georgia advanced with European integration, requiring the need for judicial, rule of law, and anti-corruption reforms, the more strained the party's relationship with the EU leaders became.This converged with increasinganti-westernpropaganda by Georgian Dream leaders, piloting what some consider pro-Russian narratives, "seemingly designed to offend" its Western partners.The adoption of legislation which has been declared incompatible with EU membership on multiple occasions by the EU,such as the "foreign agents"bill, is considered deliberate sabotage of the accession process by Georgian Dream.

The party's official position regarding the European Union and its accession process is that it plans to make Georgia part of the European Union with the Georgian government "playing by Georgian rules" and maintaining its dignity.The party has presented its view of the West and the European Integration in illiberal terms, claiming the support for the basic tenets of the constitutional democracy as the defining factors of the Western civilization, while opposing the "pseudo-liberal" agenda promoted by the NGOs and other "forces, which are challenging our national identity, traditions and the Georgian churches, as well as the forces, which are challenging the very same values in the U.S.", which "are unacceptable for us".Irakli Kobakhidzemaintained that Georgia "will become a member of the European Union with dignity, independence, freedom and sovereignty".Amid discussion of the foreign agent law in 2023, Prime MinisterIrakli Garibashvilisaid that "time of Georgian authorities serving foreign interests is over", in particular, he denounced "MEPsand some corrupt bureaucrats "for their efforts to" dictate their rules to the Georgian people ".Georgian Dream members often criticize what they consider as unfair treatment from the European Union, such as the EU's rejection of Georgia's membership application in June 2022, which the PM Garibashvili called an "unfair decision". Garibashvili said that Georgia is ahead of both Moldova and Ukraine, which were granted the EU candidacy, in terms of reforms and performance, and that while Georgia was required the judicial, rule of law, and anti-corruption reforms before receiving the EU candidacy, Moldova and Ukraine were also given these priorities but they received the EU candidacy in advance.The Georgian Dream officials often lament the EU for what they consider as the "lack of merit-based approach" regarding Georgia, instead being driven by what they consider as the unacceptable "political agenda".

Georgian Dream has often criticized the EU and US for conducting foreign interference in Georgian domestic politics. As such, Garibashvili referred to Mikheil Saakashvili as "European Parliament's agent" who they wanted to see return to power and passed "shameful" resolutions to support Saakashvili, while "disregarding the opinion of the Georgian people" about Saakashvili who "tortured [and] killed people, terrorised the business and completely suppressed the media freedom".In response to the comments made by the Western ambassadors that Georgia must not pass the foreign influence law, such as the statement by the United States ambassadorKelly C. Degnanthat Georgia "does not need this law",PM Kobakhidze slammed the "foreign diktat" and challenged foreign ambassadors to a TV debate. He stated that the ambassadors "are trying to assume the functions of the legislator, participate in the legislative process and dictate to the supreme body of the representative democracy which laws it should pass or not".Kobakhidze further opined that Georgia will become a member of the European Union only as a part of a "unity of sovereign states".

At first, Georgian Dream pursued NATO membership for Georgia, but in line with its political development, the party effectively abandoned this policy by 2019,which became most visible after the start of theRussian invasion of Ukrainein 2022.In 2023 at the Global Security Forum, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili blamed NATO enlargement as "one of the main reasons for Ukraine war".Garibashvili later defended the statement by saying that he did not blame NATO for the war with this statement, but rather said that a desire to join NATO was the reason for war, and claimed that his statement was similar to that made byUrsula von der Leyenwhen she said that Ukraine was under attack for its desire to be part of "European family".

Russia

See also:Georgia–Russia relations

Georgian Dream's policy towardsRussiais subject to debate among political analysts with some describing their approach as cautious, while a number of analysts see the party moving Georgia into the "Russian orbit".In recent years, Georgian Dream has been widely described as pro-Russian.However, the party rebukes this characterization and outlines their policy as "pragmatic and principled" describing their doctrine as "strategic patience".

Georgian Dream supports the normalization of relations with the Russian Federation, strained after the 2008Russo-Georgian War.The party has stressed the importance of Georgia having "normal, peaceful relations" with its "largest neighbor" aimed at "avoiding harm to Georgia [and] its citizens".In terms of normalization, the party has highlighted an economic and trade dimension rather than a political one.During the 2012 election campaign the party vowed to restore economic relations with Russia hampered by the2006 Russian ban of Moldovan and Georgian wines,citing the importance of the Russian market for Georgian citizens working in the wine industry as Russia was responsible for 80–90% of the total wine exports from Georgia before the ban. Nevertheless, Ivanishvili has ruled out Georgia joining the Russian-ledEurasian Economic Union.

In the political dimension, Georgia under the Georgian Dream party continued to have no diplomatic relations with Russia (with diplomatic relations being broken after the 2008 war and Georgia being the one among only five UN members to have no diplomatic relations with Russia along withUkraine,Bhutan,theSolomon Islands,andMicronesia).The party has also condemned the 2014Annexation of Crimea by the Russian FederationandRussian invasion of Ukraine.According to some political commentators, the party supports "civilizational" and military alignment with the West rather than with Russia, however, its approach is not based on harsh anti-Russian rhetoric and uncompromising pro-Western policy, promising to combine pro-Western orientation with "normalization of relations" with Russia.

In return Georgian Dream has been described by all major pro-Western opposition parties as pro-Russian. In the2012 parliamentary electionIvanishvili was painted by the government as a "Russian stooge" and some analysts described the party as a "Russian project".The critics claimed that the party's lax stance on Russia was proof of the government's pro-Russian politics.The government's political and economic rapprochement with Russia, its increasing anti-western rhetoric, and the passing of the "foreign agents" bill, are viewed by a number of analysts and the opposition, including the PresidentSalome Zourabichvili,as further proof of the party being pro-Russian and under the influence of Russia.

Georgian Dream however dismisses the "pro-Russian" labeling, claiming that their approach is focused on a balancing act between Russia and other regional powers intended to maintain peace and stability in Georgia.Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili described this in 2023 as "navigating through the turbulent situation to survive".Critics of this position have called the approach "attractive and tempting in theory", but "unrealistic and superfluous" in reality.

The launching of the normalization of relations was signified by the first two-way meeting of Russian and Georgian officials after the2008 warheld inPraguein December 2012. A "pragmatic" policy towards Russia, has been welcomed byMoscow.However, since the Georgian Dream party opposed the restoration of formal diplomatic and political ties with Russia until thedisputes with Russia over Abkhazia and South Ossetiawere resolved,a Georgian diploimat Zurab Abashidze was appointed as a Special Representative of the Georgian government to mend ties outside formal diplomatic relations by meeting periodically with his Russian counterpartGrigory Karasinon neutral ground in Prague.The "Prague Format" of Russia-Georgia relations was not meant to facilitate the resolution of disputes regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia, as both sides remained at odds over these issues.Abashidze emphasized that the question of its territorial integrity is Georgia's "red line" on which no concession is conceivable.The Prague Format was rather focused on a pragmatic process on matters of mutual interest that are unrelated to the breakaways.

The Georgian Dream government has also pressed for dialogue with Russia on the issue of breakaway regions, as the Georgian Dream party has stressed that the only viable option to solve the disputes is through negotiations.In particular, the Georgian government asked Russia to include the issue of breakaway regions during the bilateral talks in 2014 and 2015,while Prime MinisterGiorgi Kvirikashvilihas publicly appealed to the Russian government in 2018 for "reasonable steps for bringing the Georgian-Russian relations out of a vicious circle" caused by the 2008 war, which he called a "dramatic development that has left a deep imprint on the consciousness of the Georgian people and on the Russian-Georgian relations". He also criticized the previous government's policy as harming the prospects of normalizing relations, commenting that "even the slightest change of [policy] is regarded as treason by this so-called opposition".

Georgian Dream officials have been particularly critical of what they consider as Saakashvili's confrontational approach to Russia, which Ivanishvili denounced for bringing only "negative results".The party's official stance regarding the 2008Russo-Georgian waris that it was provoked by the Saakashvili government. The party officials have accused UNM of committing treason against the Georgian people by provoking the2008 war with Russia.Moreover, Ivanishvili elaborated that the war was "ordered from outside" by theGlobal War Partywith UNM being its agents.Ivanishvili has accused the previous government of "engulfingOssetian peoplein the flames of fire "calling on Georgia to apologize for the war. The party has additionally promised to hold the"Nuremberg trials"against UNM for" starting the war ".Some analysts see Georgian Dream shifting the blame for the war to its opponent Saakashvili for the reason of normalizing relations with Russia.

Ukraine

See also:Georgia–Ukraine relations

Georgia–Ukraine relationsbecame strained soon after Georgian Dream came to power. The primary conflict had to do with ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili being granted Ukrainian citizenship and being placed in various governmental positions, while the Georgian government sought his extradition and prosecution for abuse of power, embezzlement, and his implication in the attempted murder of an opposition MP.The dysfunctional relationship continued after the start of the 2022Russian invasion of Ukraine,with theUkrainian governmentcalling on sanctions against Ivanishvili.

Georgian Dream ruled out imposing economic sanctions on Russia and providingmilitary aid to Ukrainebut vowed to support Ukraine in the diplomatic arena.Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of Georgian Parliament argued Georgia is restricted to do more by the presence of Russian troops on its territory, not far from the capital.Prime Minister Garibashvili allured to western hypocrisy by recalling that in the aftermath of the 2008Russo-Georgian Warno sanctions were imposed by the Western countries on Russia.

When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Georgian Dream imposed sanctions onRussian-annexed Crimea,which mirrored Ukraine's restrictions on trade and financial transactions with Georgia's breakaway regions,AbkhaziaandSouth Ossetia,and was meant to signal Georgia's support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. However, it did not impose sanctions on Russia proper to avoid tensions and its reciprocal steps which would have undermined relations.

International affiliation

Since its inception Georgian Dream affiliated with European and global social democratic umbrella organizations, but in 2023 the ties were severed due to the divergent ideological development of the party in relation to the political values of these umbrella organizations. According to Georgian political analysts, Georgian Dream has never taken its international political relations seriously.

At the global level, Georgian Dream was a member of theProgressive Alliance,the global umbrella organization ofsocial democraticparties. However, the two silently parted ways sometime in the summer of 2023.Until 29 June 2023, Georgian Dream was an observer member of theParty of European Socialists(PES), the pan-European social democratic party, when it was expelled from it.The increasingly illiberal policies of Georgian Dream strained the relationship with PES, which began to review the partnership with GD by April 2023.

GaribashvilionCPAC Hungary,May 2023

The final drop for PES was the opening speech of Prime MinisterIrakli Garibashviliat the conference of the conservativeConservative Political Action Conference(CPAC) inBudapeston 4 May 2023. On the same day PES released a statement denouncing the participation of the Georgian Prime Minister in the CPAC conference, with PES Vice PresidentKati Piristating "the actions of Prime Minister Garibashvili are unacceptable and place him completely outside the values of our political family".Anticipating expulsion, GD turned around the narrative and announced it was leaving PES itself.Explaining its decision, Georgian Dream argued that the "ideological transformation of PES is unacceptable and incompatible with the values of the party and the Georgian people",and that PES allegedly moved away from "classical social-democratic ideology and switched to a pseudo-liberal platform".

Leadership

The party is led by the Chair, who is the leader of the party's political council. The current chairman isIrakli Garibashvili.

Party chairs

• Bidzina Ivanishvili(2012–2013)
• Irakli Garibashvili(2013–2015)
• Giorgi Kvirikashvili(2015–2018)
• Bidzina Ivanishvili(2018–2021)
• Irakli Kobakhidze(2021–2024)
• Irakli Garibashvili(2024–present)

Electoral performance

Parliamentary

Election	Leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position	Status
2012	Bidzina Ivanishvili	1,184,612	54.97	41 / 150	new	2nd	Parliamentary majority
		As part of theGeorgian Dream coalition,which won 85 seats
2016	Giorgi Kvirikashvili	857,394	48.65	115 / 150	74	1st	Constitutional majority
2020	Giorgi Gakharia	928,004	48.22	90 / 150	25	1st	Parliamentary majority
2024	Irakli Kobakhidze	1,120,053	53.93	89 / 150	1	1st	Parliamentary majority

Presidential

Election year	Candidate	1st round			2nd round
		Votes	%	Rank	Votes	%	Rank
2013	Giorgi Margvelashvili	1,012,569	62.12	1st
2018	endorsedSalome Zourabichvili	615,572	38.64	1st	1,147,701	59.52	1st

Local

Election	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position
2014	719 431	50.82	1,370 / 2,088	new	1st
2017	838 154	55.81	1,610 / 2,058	240	1st
2021	824 755	46.75	1,358 / 2,068	252	1st

Presidents of Georgia from Georgian Dream

Name	From	To
Giorgi Margvelashvili	17 November 2013	16 December 2018

Prime Ministers of Georgia from Georgian Dream

Name	From	To
Bidzina Ivanishvili	25 October 2012	20 November 2013
Irakli Gharibashvili	20 November 2013	30 December 2015
Giorgi Kvirikashvili	30 December 2015	13 June 2018
Mamuka Bakhtadze	20 June 2018	2 September 2019
Giorgi Gakharia	8 September 2019	18 February 2021
Irakli Gharibashvili	22 February 2021	29 January 2024
Irakli Kobakhidze	8 February 2024	Present

External links

• Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia official website