June 20, 2008
Zaza Jgharkava , Georgia Today

After the presidential elections, the Republicans stated that the parliamentary elections would be a crucial fight.

Now they say that parliament is not the only place for politics, and that the political center of Georgia today is outside the legal realms of the country. However, it should be mentioned that out of the wide political spectrum Republican Party was the only one that spoke publicly about its mistakes, as well as future strategy and tactics. The Republican Party’s goals now are organizational preparation and structural changes. Nevertheless, part of the public did not assess Republican confession positively.

They say the United Opposition has been trapped by its own statements, after having said that they would not enter the parliament, out of pride they did not turn back. Those members of the National Council who expressed wish to join the parliament were expelled. These were: Gia Tsagareishvili, Gia Tortladze, Jondi Baghaturia, and Paata Davitaia. Gia Tsagareishvili says he does not want to resemble the people who have been running in the streets for decades and stating they are real government, as this method had not worked. In fact, it is hardly believable that alternative parliament can be the answer in this country.

According to Goga Khaindrava, a leader of the United Opposition, they will continue their fight against the government through the political center. Khaindrava says the opposition had waged serious war against the government and this fight should not be stopped. He agrees with remarks of Konstantine Gamsakhurdia on further operation of the National Council and states that one stage of the fight has ended and new stage has to start. Khaindrava adds that consultations are underway with the Labor Party and the Republicans on cooperation within the new political center.

The Labor Party is ready to negotiate with the United Opposition on the establishment of the political center, however, only after former and current members stop offending each other. “First, they were creating the so-called alternative parliament, now they are establishing political center, and what is most important, so-called members of the United Opposition are busy with accusing and offending each other, discrediting and blackmailing one another,” Ioseb Shatberashvili, General Secretary of the Labor Party told TV Company Rustavi 2. “First of all, we call on them to unite, establish peace, and then come to us and explain what they want,” he pointed out.

Leaders of the United Opposition are having meetings and discussing format and functions of the political center, which is to be formed in a month. Some leaders of the United Opposition think this body will turn into an institute parallel to the government that will reflect public interests. Koba Davitashvili, the leader of the United Opposition does not exclude that political center may have representative functions. He says their aim will be the formation of a united movement. “The country does not have legitimate government, and is in crisis,” Davitashvili claimed.

The majority of the United Opposition broadly supports the idea of the political center, which will not be limited to political parties. However, there is a difference of opinions on the issue of cooperation with the part of the opposition that did not reject MP mandates.

Experts consider that the opposition is making a big mistake when refusing parliamentary activities. Those who stay outwith the official political institutions eventually become less and less influential, gradually lose supporters, and finally lose altogether. No matter how hard they try to hide, it become obvious that situation in the United Opposition is not quite sound. They confront each other and disagree with each other. The only thing people demanded from them was unity and consolidation but they could not compromise with each other to achieve it.

They say about the new Speaker of the Parliament that a new swab cleans well, and Bakradze seems to be wishing to do what Burjanadze could not. As for Burjanadze, experts and political scientists do not exclude that Burjanadze may eventually form a political party. Some people say Burjanadze may run as a candidate for Vake in elections. As Saganelidze and Gamkrelidze took the final decision to reject their MP positions, new majoritarian elections will be held in Vake and Didube. However, Davit Gamkrelidze told TV Company Kavkasia he would take part in Vake elections again.