April 11, 2008
Zaza Jgarkava
Georgia Today

Georgians say that marrying in May will lead to a misfortune, so the tradition is to avoid May marriages. It seems that in Georgian politics such prejudices are taken quite seriously, which the upcoming parliamentary elections proved. April 9 was the deadline to present blocks and united political subjects to the Central Election Commission. Finally, CEC registered only three subjects that united their futures for May.

“The United Opposition-National Council-New Rights” – this is the union of nine opposition parties: the Conservatives, Georgian Way, Movement for United Georgia, People’s Party, Georgian Dasi (Council), National Forum, We Ourselves, and the New Rights. The second block brought together the party of deceased oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili “Our Georgia,” Traditionalists, and women’s party of Guguli Maghradze, formerly a majority MP. The third block titled “Rightist alliance – Topadze Industrialists” includes: Industry Will Save Georgia, National-Democratic Party, and Unity led by MP Jumber Patiashvili. Other nine subjects categorically refused to make any unions or take part in the so-called coordination, of which the opposition spoke before, and started an all-out fight for the 175 places up for grabs.

It looks like the opposition, seemingly so united in November, is already dispersed. The fact that the National Council consists of many subjects is nothing as parties it includes are of the same kind, such as parties of Koba Davitashvili, Jondi Baghaturia, Zviad Dzidziguri, and others, the unification of which was dictated by the instinct of survival and not real chances to win in elections. It would be a different matter if the Labor Party and the Republicans joined the alliance as they did in November. Unfortunately or not, this did not transpire. The Republicans closed the door of the National Council. When were they right – when they joined the National Council or when they left it? According to Tina Khidasheli, a leader of the party, they were right in both cases. Their joining the National Council aimed at holding parliamentary elections in spring. The goal is achieved, and their presence in the council lost any sense. Thus, they left the ranks of the United Opposition. Besides, due to big past and important experience of the party, also due to the fact that Republicans have their electorate, the Republican Party will appear with independent lists on elections. Khidasheli stated there was nothing either surprising or doubtful about it. Davit Berdzenishvili, another party leader, explains the Republicans’ reasoning thusly: “Leading competitive political forces will grab more votes from the government separately than put together in a common pot.” The Laborers present their own version of the failure to unite. “We do not share false idea of unity. If we look at the recent history of Georgia, we will see how dangerous such unions are,” Nestan Kirtadze said.

The pre-election rush continues in the ruling party as well. Grand rotation has taken off here. National Movement faces converted to the executive government are coming back to the legislative body. At least, this is the idea. According to information spread in the Georgian press, Saakashvili plans to bring Bakradze, Gvaramia, and Tkeshelashvili back into the Parliament. The same rumor has it that former Minister of Culture and Sports Giorgi Gabashvili will be in the top twenty of proportional list. It is already decided that Giga Bokeria will become Foreign Minister. According to the talks in the corridors, number one of the official national movement is the current speaker of the parliament. However, newspaper Rezonansi writes that top five of the list are named unofficially and along with Nino Burjanadze there are Mikheil Machavariani, Khatuna Gogorishvili, Giorgi Tsereteli, and Zurab Melikishvili.

The relatively new Christian-Democratic Movement, founded by the former Imedi TV anchor Giorgi Targamadze, will take part in elections independently as, according to its leaders, this party already has its electorate. Former reporter of the same TV-channel Giorgi Akhvlediani said they would try to establish themselves in the political spectrum. What the political situation will be on May 22 remains to be seen.

Here is the list of majoritarian candidates presented by the parties by this time:
















Tbilisi

Vake

1. MP Davit Gamkrelidze, leader of the New Rightists, block of the nine opposition parties;
2. MP Levan Berdzenishvili, Republican Party.

1. Archil Gegenava, founder of the “Teliani Valley” Company, National Movement;
2. MP Ivliane Khaindrava, Republican Party;
3. MP Gia Tortladze, block of the nine opposition parties.

Saburtalo

1. Tinatin Khidasheli, Republican Party.

Samgori

1. Rusudan Kervalishvili, founder of the “Center Point” Company, National Movement;
2. Guliko Zumbadze, Republican Party;
3. Kakha Dzagania, Labor Party.

Mtatsminda

Isani

1. Giorgi Goguadze, director of the People’s Bank, National Movement;
2. Vakhtang Khmaladze, Republican Party;
3. Zviad Dzidziguri, leader of the Conservative Party, block of the nine opposition parties.

Krtsanisi

1. Dilar Khabuliani, National Movement;
2. Goga Khaindrava, block of the nine opposition parties.

Didube

1. Lado Kvaratskhelia, National Movement;
2. Davit Zurabishvili, Republican Party;
3. Davit Saganelidze, New Rights, block of the nine opposition parties.

Chughureti

1. Lasha Zhvania, National Movement;
2. MP Koka Guntsadze, block of the nine opposition parties.

Gldani

1. MP Giorgi Asanidze, National Movement;
2. Giorgi Gugava, Labor Party;
3. Gela Kvachantiradze, Republican Party;
4. MP Kakha Kukava, block of the nine opposition parties.

Nadzaladevi

1. MP Merab Samadashvili, National Movement;
2. Irakli Batiashvili, Republican Party;
3. Paata Jibladze, Labor Party.

Kakheti region

Dedoplistskaro

1. Dali Pridonashvili, Georgian Way, block of the nine opposition parties.

Telavi

1. Gia Arsenishvili, National Movement.

Mtskheta-Mtianeti region

Mtskheta

1. Ioseb Shatberashvili, Labor Party.

Dusheti

1. Shalva Natelashvili, Labor Party

Kazbegi

1. Mindia Arabuli, National Movement.

Kvemo Kartli region

Rustavi

1. Davit Nadashvili, National Movement.

Gardabani

1. Davit Makhniashvili, National Movement

Marneuli

1. Aziz Suleimanov, National Movement.

Bolnisi

1. MP Sophio Lartsuliani, National Movement.

Dmanisi

1. MP Kakha Okriashvili, founder of the drugstore network PSP, National Movement.

Tsalka

1. Mikheil Tskitishvili, National Movement.

Tetritskaro

1. MP Davit Bezhuashvili, brother of the head of the intelligence service and founder of the Georgian Industrial Group holding 45 percent of stocks in TV-companies “Rustavi 2” and “Mze,” National Movement.

Shida Kartli region

Gori

1. Giorgi Tatishvili, National Movement
2. Giorgi Mosidze, New Rights, block of the nine opposition parties

Kareli

1. Emzar Gelashvili, National Movement.

Khashuri

1. Sergo Kitiashvili, National Movement;
2. Nino Gvenetadze, Republican Party.

Borjomi

1. Gocha Martinenko, head of the Parliament staff, National Movement.

Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti region

Oni

1. Gogi Chelidze, National Movement;
2. Davit Kereselidze, New Rights, block of the nine opposition parties.

Ambrolauri

1. Gocha Enukidze, National Movement;
2. Mamuka Katsitadze, New Rights, block of the nine opposition parties.

Imereti region

Kutaisi

1. MP Giorgi Gegelashvili, National Movement;
2. Gubaz Sanikidze, National Forum, block of the nine opposition parties;
3. Nestan Kirtadze, Labor Party;
4. Giorgi Akhvlediani, Christian-Democratic Party.

Zestaponi

1. Kakha Getsadze, National Movement;
2. Giorgi Goglichidze, Labor Party.

Baghdati

1. Temur Kokhodze, National Movement.

Khoni

1. Akaki Bobokhidze, Governor of the Imereti District, National Movement.

Tkibuli

1. MP Pavle Kublashvili, National Movement

Guria region

Lanchkhuti

1. MP Bidzina Gujabidze, Conservative Party, block of the nine opposition parties.

Chokhatauri

1. Manana Dumbadze, Georgian Way, block of the nine opposition parties.

Ozurgeti

1. Anzor Erkomaishvili, National Movement.

Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region

Mestia

1. MP Victor Japaridze, block of the nine opposition parties.

Khobi

1. Giga Bukia, Conservative Party, block of the nine opposition parties.

Tsalenjikha

1. Gia Mebonia, National Movement.

Zugdidi

1. Pridon Todua, National Movement;
2. Nona Toloraia, Republican Party.

Autonomous Republic of Adjara

Batumi

1. Temur Charkviani, founder of the construction company “Tbilisi,” National Movement;
2. Davit Berdzenishvili, Republican Party;
3. Jumber Tavartkiladze, People’s Party, block of the nine opposition parties.

Khelvachauri

1. Aslan Tavdgiridze, National Movement;
2. Murman Dumbadze, Republican Party.