Georgia: Ruling Party in Turmoil

Rising Tensions Within Georgia's Ruling Party

The authoritarian tendencies of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, are beginning to show signs of internal conflict. After successfully suppressing domestic opposition, the party is now facing infighting, driven by a desire for power and wealth. This turmoil has led to unexpected arrests of former allies and high-ranking officials, as well as an alleged suicide attempt by a top party official.

Giorgi Gakharia, a former prime minister and now an opposition leader, described the situation as “bloody fights over how to divide money stolen from the people.” The latest incident involved the arrest of Giorgi Khaindrava, a former deputy defense minister, and Vladimer Ghudushauri, a former procurement official, on charges of embezzlement. A relative of Juansher Burchuladze, who served as defense minister from 2021 to 2024, was also implicated in the scheme. The trio is accused of rigging tenders, inflating prices, and funneling $480,000 in medical equipment contracts to selected companies.

Independent watchdogs have long highlighted corruption in Georgia’s state institutions, especially in procurement deals. However, critics argue that the recent crackdowns are politically motivated, aimed at removing former officials who no longer align with the party’s leadership, particularly Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s influential figure.

Political analyst Gia Khukhashvili suggested that these developments represent a personal reckoning for Ivanishvili. He noted that Ivanishvili feels disadvantaged due to the financial gains of those around him, while his own business suffers from Western sanctions. As a result, he wants to regain control and cut off any perceived threats.

The Defense Ministry procurement scandal is just one example of a series of actions targeting former loyalists. In June, Romeo Mikautadze, a former deputy economy minister, was arrested on corruption charges, accused of money laundering. Levan Khabeishvili, a prominent opposition figure, claimed that Mikautadze was arrested after refusing to pay a large sum of money.

On July 7, Tornike Rizhvadze, a former Adjara government head, was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the chest. Prosecutors labeled it a suicide attempt, but state-aligned media published a note allegedly written by Rizhvadze, in which he claimed to be accused of corruption and protecting drug dealers. He wrote that he relied on Ivanishvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to protect his family.

Earlier in July, Giorgi Ramishvili, a known businessman, was detained at Tbilisi Airport after authorities found an illegal firearm in his luggage. Many observers believe this incident is too calculated to be mere carelessness, given his influence and connections.

Critics argue that the crackdown has expanded to include major business figures who have shown signs of wavering loyalty. These actions are seen as part of a broader strategy to maintain control within the party.

The arrests have not been the only signs of internal strife. In recent months, several high-ranking officials, some sanctioned by the West, have been quietly removed from their positions. Among them: Vakhtang Gomelauri, Grigol Liluashvili, and Zviad Kharazishvili, key figures behind the violent crackdown against anti-government protesters.

The purge has continued with the removal of Levan Davitashvili, a former deputy prime minister and one of Georgia’s last remaining technocrats with open lines to Western leaders. Observers view this reshuffle as a strategic move to replace one circle of Ivanishvili’s favorites with another amid growing internal tensions.

Georgian Dream officials are now pushing legislation to make it easier to recover damages in various financial crimes. The bill includes harsh penalties, such as barring convicts from leaving the country and seizing assets from their relatives. These measures signal a broader effort to consolidate power and control within the party.