Bidzina Ivanishvili's Pledge to Ban Opposition Parties Fans Political Tensions in Georgia

Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgia's ruling party, vows to ban opposition parties if his party wins the parliamentary elections. Amidst Western sanctions, his speech leads to a rally in Tbilisi. Critics link his policies with a drift towards Russia, stirring political tensions in the country.

In the politically charged atmosphere of Georgia's upcoming parliamentary elections, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the Georgian Dream party, has amplified his bold promise to outlaw opposition parties. In a significant gathering in Tbilisi, he accused the opposition of past war crimes without specifying which ones.

The rally, sighted by many as a sibling to the ongoing diplomatic spat between Georgia and its Western allies, drew thousands to Tbilisi's main Freedom Square. Speaking from behind bulletproof glass, Ivanishvili, despite being rarely seen in public, asserted his influence over the political landscape, with attendees ferried in from across regions.

The lead-up to the elections has witnessed heightened discourse as President Salome Zourabichvili, known for her pro-EU stance and criticism of Georgian Dream, addressed a crowd of opposition supporters. Georgian Dream's policies, such as the recent 'foreign agents' law, have been met with substantial backlash from Western entities, complicating Georgia's geopolitical alignments.

(With inputs from agencies.)