Press Digest 13.11.2014
A number of our politicians are particularly excited to replace Zurab Abashidze
Nationals have mobilized some groups to heat up conflict on the 15 November rally -- Tristan Tsitelashvili
“Today they are making every effort to popularize Alasania”
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A number of our politicians are particularly excited to replace Zurab Abashidze
"New parliamentary majority appears to be on the horns of new dilemma; despite the fact that some members of the Coalition want to remove Zurab Abashidze from his post, while some are against this, they have not chosen his replacement yet, and this issue is likely to cause disagreement between the members of the Coalition. However, a number of politicians from the majority as well as the former members of the Nationals who have recently moved to the majority have expressed their overt desire to occupy the post. In the rank of those who long to grab the post of vice-speaker are: leader of the parliamentary majority, Davit Saganelidze, one of the representatives of the majority, Zviad Kvatchantiradze and member of new faction “Independent Majoritarians for Powerful Regions”, Marika Verulashvili. However, adoption of the candidature of Ms. Verulashvili or any of the members of those fractions that have recently joined the Coalition seems to be unacceptable for some representatives of the Georgian Dream Coalition,” reports the Rezonansi gazette.
“As member of the faction “Georgian Dream – National Forum,” Ani Mirotadze announces, the issue of dismissing Abashidze has not been discussed; reportedly, they have put it on hold and do not intend to put their heads together on this matter before next week. According to her, next week they will decide whether or not Zurab Abashidz must be removed from his post. “I will not vote for the candidature of Marika Verulashvili or those of others. I am entitled to at least know why Zurab Abashidze should quit and who will be his replacement,” states Mirotadze. Besides Mirotadze, the Republicans are also likely to express their protest against Zurab Abashidze’s dismissal as they are loyal to Free Democrats,” says the article.
“Two days ago, they refused to discuss the issue of ousting the vice-Speaker; they postponed the discussions for the next week. However, upon the completion of the meeting, Davit Saganelidze declared that the majority is trying to gear new regulations to a new political status quo and this means that the vice-speakers posts will be changed. As head of procedural committee, Giorgi Kakhiani, states, as per parliament regulations, Zurab Abashidze has the right to maintain his post. However, as per him, his decision to stay on his post will be a bit outside logics. The Chairman of the legislative body has 5 deputies out of which the fate of two vice-speakers is a big question mark today. This issue is expected to be resolved next week, at the majority session,” reads the paper.
"Abashidze is still in his office; however, his days seem numbered. He stands a really strong chance of being dismissed. The only question that is an issue today is the candidature for the post of vice-speaker. As it seems, they have decided to sleep on this matter for a while. It should also be noted that Free Democrats are in charge of three parliamentary committees. Neither of them is going to relinquish his power of his own accord.
The post of vice-speaker has also allegedly been offered to Eka Beselia; however, she refused to take it. In addition, Beselia denied reports saying that Marika Verulashvili’s candidature was also adopted for vice-speaker. Gia Volski also denied circulating information as per which he was also named as a would-be replacement for Zurab Abashidze,” concludes the author of the article.
Nationals have mobilized some groups to heat up conflict on the 15 November rally -- Tristan Tsitelashvili
"First of all, we must stress that the National Movement does not have any moral right to hold a protest rally in relation to Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and Samachablo… Their decision to crusade against the Government’s lax attitude towards Russia’s intention to legally annex the occupied territories from Georgia is nothing more than evil political bate cast to the Georgian people. The Nationals are simply staging a political protest event, a scenario for which has been outlined in advance,” claims former political prisoner, Tristan Tsitelashvili, in his interview with the Alia gazette.
“A reliable source has provided us with trustworthy information saying that if more than 5 thousand people are gathered at the protest rally by the Nationals, they will activate some groups who were prepared in advance. Reports are rife that instructions have also been given to “Free Zone,” which involves former officials of MIA and Defense Ministry. These people were Bachana Akhalaia’s loyal servants that were always ready to carry out his illegal instructions without hesitation. They underwent special training courses in Ukraine and are now completely geared up to provoke the situation and heat up the conflict on the 15 November rally,” maintains Mr. Tsitelashvili.
“One more important point that is also worth taking into account is that the majority of potential trouble-makers are armed. As many as 17 people are said to have pistols they intend to use at the rally in order to destabilize the situation there. They will try their best to heighten tensions and instigate people to clash with each other and get involved in a life or death conflict. In this way, they will seek to execute the “Maidan Scenario” on the demonstration. Precisely this is the reason why our people – even those who have been offered cash or employment to join the rally – must hold back from taking this step,” contends the former political prisoner.
“Thus, I call upon our Ministry of Internal Affairs to control the people to the fullest possible extent. Only in this way, will we be able to avert a tragedy as this rally is strongly expected to morph into large-scale bloodshed. All of you probably remember Ugulava’s letter in which he underscored that they will not even avoid spilling their compatriots’ blood. Simply look at Gia Baramidze. How valiant and intrepid he has become recently -- the Nov.15 rally has given hope to each and every National. And you know, the present authorities should also be held accountable for what is going to happen today in Georgia. If they stood firmly against those people who had perpetrated really grave crimes against their state and people, then the Nationals would have been removed from our political scene long ago,” concludes the author of the article.
“Today they are making every effort to popularize Alasania”
"Alasania’s political triumph makes me remember the era of Saakashvili when almost everyone actively held his PR campaign. Today I have been left with an impression that our foreign friends view him as a new up-and-coming political leader. In our day-to-day Georgia, they are actively working to popularize Alasania and all media outlets throughout the country are helping them in doing this. The former Defense Minister is also unlikely to abstain from denouncing the Government as fallible by bringing its mistakes to light. Consequently, in the present state of affairs, the Government has deflected its gaze from the really paramount issue and has focused its attention on some insubstantial problems,” announces Lawyer and professor at the Tbilisi State University, Avtandil Kakhniashvili in his interview with the Rezonansi gazette.
“The have hatched such bold schemes behind the people’s backs, the likes of which have never been seen before – they have created a new opposition force that was remolded in a day. It is true that absolutely no one remembers the “Public Union” today; however, the actual fact is that precisely on its bases, the National Movement party was once formed. The same can be said regarding the Dream Government too; thus, former officials have not departed from our political arena. If you take a closer look at the present situation, you will undoubtedly notice that nothing substantial has changed on our political stage as one and the same high officials have presided over the leading party as well as the parliament so far. The powers that are immensely eager to steal one other’s thunder and openly show their affection to the West have remained in our political arena. Alasania stands a really serious chance of achieving success today as he has always claimed that he is a staunch supporter of the western course,” declares Kakhniahsvili.
To the question what kind of a power balance are we expected to face in the parliament soon, the respondent answers:
“As soon as the Georgian Dream Coalition was formed, I announced that soon the terms such as the “National Movement” and “Dream Government” would cease to exist. Thus, both teams will be represented in our legislative body with the names of Republicans and Democrats. In those days, some experts and politicians looked down on my opinions and even defined them as ridiculous… As for the present developments, they make me presume that soon we will have a two-chamber parliament.”
