Opposition figure Popkhadze says system is ‘consuming itself’

Opposition figure Gedevan Popkhadze, a member of the Coalition for Change, on Tuesday said that the ruling Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili allows members of his inner circle to profit financially, creating a system driven by personal gain rather than ideas or values.

Popkhadze added the current political environment demonstrates a self-destructive system in which loyalty is motivated by money, not principles.

“This is evidence that the system is consuming itself. Today, it is impossible for anyone to approach Ivanishvili because of ideas or values, everyone goes there to make money. This reality was created by Ivanishvili himself. He told everyone: if you want to be with me, make money. Those of us who did not want to make money are in the opposition,” Popkhadze said.

He added that Ivanishvili does not institutionally oppose corruption, but instead allows his associates access to financial opportunities, enabling them to accumulate wealth until they become too independent and pose a systemic problem for him.

“He gives his entourage access to profit-making opportunities and then realises they have become too independent, forcing him to act through such methods. This is greed,” Popkhadze said.

Popkhadze’s remarks follow the Prosecutor’s Office’s announcement that a plea agreement was reached with former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Under the agreement, Garibashvili was sentenced to five years in prison under Article 194, Part 3 of Georgia’s Criminal Code. In addition, he was fined ₾1 million ($370,800), and funds seized during a search of his residence - allegedly obtained through criminal activity - will be confiscated in favour of the state, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.