**Ivanishvili’s Downfall: A Test for Georgia**
The billionaire status of Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of the Georgian Dream party, has taken a hit. According to various sources, including Bloomberg and Forbes, he is no longer listed as one of the world’s billionaires due to sanctions imposed on him. This development has sparked a heated debate in Georgia about what it means for the country.
Petre Tsiskarishvili, Secretary General of the Unity-National Movement party, weighed in on the issue, saying that sanctioned individuals like Ivanishvili can no longer manage their own property and accounts. As a result, they will not be featured on lists like Bloomberg or Forbes, which highlight wealthy individuals with billions in assets.
However, Tsiskarishvili pointed out that there’s a more significant issue at play here. He argued that Ivanishvili’s wealth is not just about his sanctioned property abroad but also about the “black money” he earns from impoverishing Georgians within the country. This raises important questions about what kind of person Georgia wants to be associated with.
**The Georgian State’s Dilemma**
Tsiskarishvili emphasized that it’s now up to the Georgian state to decide whether they want a person like Ivanishvili, who earns billions at the expense of his own citizens. He questioned whether the country should prioritize compensating for Ivanishvili’s sanctioned property from the West by allowing him to continue earning wealth through questionable means.
This is not just about individual interests but also about the kind of leadership Georgia wants to project to the world. As Tsiskarishvili noted, it’s a test for the country to see whether it values transparency, accountability, and the well-being of its people over personal gain.
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