Translated material
Presidential resource
Georgian opposition hopes in vain for victory
The Georgian opposition yesterday accused Mikheil Saakashvili of already opening the election campaign, putting potential rivals in unequal conditions in the early elections on January 5 . “The president is counting on administrative resources, on the fact that the Imedi and Kavkasia television companies are not working, and on the continuing state of emergency,” said Tinatin Khidasheli, a representative of the Republican Party. “Public television is actually already busy with Mikheil Saakashvili’s PR.”Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza visited Tbilisi yesterday as a special envoy of the American State Department. He said that the United States will not support any specific contender on January 5, but advocates for an early lifting of the state of emergency. It is possible that parliament will lift the state of emergency this week, but news is still only allowed to be shown on public television. The Imedi television company, which has become a mouthpiece for the opposition, will not have time to return to the air before the elections - according to its employees, 90% of its equipment was destroyed during the defeat on November 7.
The elections have not yet been officially called, so the current president has every right to use restrictions on the work of the media. For example, his meetings with businessmen and teachers were shown live and then recorded. The president explained why it was necessary to use force to disperse the rallies, reminded of the destabilizing role of Russia, and promised teachers - there are about 70 thousand of them in Georgia - to increase the average salary from December 1 to 200 lari ($125).
“Still, Saakashvili will be seriously disappointed,” Ms. Khidasheli said optimistically. If the single candidate Levan Gachechiladze wins, the opposition will propose a new government to parliament. In the current composition of the legislative body, the majority belongs to the presidential “National Movement”. The Nationals will not approve the cabinet. This means that the parliament will be dissolved and new elections will be held,” Ms. Khidasheli believes.
However, there is no complete unity in the ranks of the opposition. Separately, businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili plans to run, Labor has nominated its leader Shalva Natelashvili, and the right has nominated its leader David Gamkrelidze. “Competition should be welcomed. In the end, we all have one task - to remove Mikheil Saakashvili from power. If the second round of presidential elections takes place, then the entire opposition can unite behind one candidate,” believes Pikria Chikhradze, a member of parliament from the Right Opposition faction. Political scientist Ramaz Sakvarelidze noted to Vremya Novostei that “the opposition is in vain to think that it will be easy for it to beat Saakashvili, especially if its candidates quarrel among themselves.” According to the expert, Mr. Gachechiladze has the greatest chance of victory among the opposition.