**Georgia’s Poverty Rate Plummets: A Response to Critics**
The country of Moldova, a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), has been praised as a model democracy. However, for Georgia, it seems like a different story. According to Mamuka Mdinaradze, Executive Secretary of “Georgian Dream” and leader of the parliamentary majority, Georgia’s poverty rate is actually better than Moldova’s. Last year, poverty in Moldova was not only worse than during the time of the previous government, but it had also worsened by another two percent.
**Comparing Apples and Oranges**
Mdinaradze pointed out that while Georgia’s economy has been performing well, with poverty rates dropping below double digits a few years ago, international critics still compare the country unfavorably to Moldova. “It’s like the good old days when we had ‘GISHNIKs’ being paid 2 or 5 lari,” Mdinaradze joked, referencing Georgia’s tumultuous past. He noted that while Moldova is lauded as a success story, democracy in Georgia is supposedly under threat.
**Criticism and Blackmail**
The criticism of Georgia’s democratic record has reached new heights, with some organizations calling for the repeal of important laws such as the “Law on Transparency” and the “Law on Family Values”. Mdinaradze described this as outright blackmail. “If that’s supposed to be an objective assessment, then fine, maybe they’re right,” he said. However, when the criticism is based on zero substance and accompanied by demands for policy changes, it raises serious questions about the motivations of these critics.
**The Reality Check**
Georgia has made significant progress in reducing poverty over the years. The country’s economy has been growing steadily, and living standards have improved. It’s time to give credit where credit is due and stop comparing Georgia to countries that are not necessarily a fair benchmark for success. As Mdinaradze pointed out, it’s time to take a closer look at Moldova’s record and not use it as a stick to beat Georgia with.
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