Georgia's Burdzhanadze prepares for presidential elections

Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

One more disgraced politician has returned to Georgia – the former deputy interior minister, the former head of the Boundary Department Badri Bitsadze. Considering the processes which are going on in the country, including oblivions of hundred political prisoners of Saakashvili’s period, this event wouldn’t attract special attention, but for Bitsadze was husband of one of the most interesting persons in the Georgian political field – the former chairman of the parliament Nino Burdzhanadze.

Bitsadze quickly left Georgia on May 26, 2011. At that time dramatic events took place in Tbilisi: the Interior Ministry special troops broke up a rally of the opposition movement People’s Assembly near the parliaments building on the Rustaveli Avenue. The main initiator of the massive opposition action was the representative of the party Democratic Movement – United Georgia, Nino Burdzhanadze. The Special Forces easily defeated small opposition self-guard groups. 4 people were killed in the clashes. Many people thought that Burdzhanadze fell on face, but today it is clear: the battle on the Rustaveli Avenue only confirmed her importance and uncompromising attitude. These qualities are most valuable in the Georgian politics.

Breaking-up of the rally on the Rustaveli Avenue spoiled international reputation of Saakashvili. The result of that action was “the photographers’ case” – the scandalous arrest of four professional photographers (including the personal photographer of the president) who pictured the bloody events and spread the pictures all over the world. Their arrest for a ridiculous accusation of “espionage in favor of Russia” heavily damaged the ruling team and improved the opposition, including Burdzhanadze. Saakashvili didn’t dare to arrest her husband and supporter, and Badri was allowed to leave the country few hours later the Tbilisi massacre. Until recent time he was living in Europe. It would be exaggeration to speak about “family’s separation” because Nino frequently visited husband.

In the end of 2012 the parliament included Badri Bitsadze into a special list of political refugees, which consisted of 24 names. All of them had to leave Georgia for political reasons. Bitsadze was amnestied and could return to the motherland.

Nino Burdzhanadze didn’t come to meet husband in the airport. It seems she understands it would be vulgar to give journalists an opportunity to fix family scenes in the departure area of the airport. However, Badri Bitsadze was welcomed by other leaders of her party. Nino demonstrated that Bitsadze’s return is not a family, but political event: the beginning of a new stage of struggle for the grand prize, i.e. presidency. She has never hidden that she intends to fight for the president’s position and to participate in the October elections. In this context return of her husband and supporter who is popular and influential in the force structures will be beneficial for her. However, it doesn’t mean Burdzhanadze depends on husband. During the last 12 years Burdzhanadze proved that she is an independent and self-sufficient politician, while her husband has no political importance or ambitions. “We vowed to each other long ago and fulfill our duties,” Nino answered to a journalist’s question whether Badri was dissatisfied with the fact he had to leave Georgia because of her political ambitions.

As for the presidential election race Burdzhanadze’s family reunited at the moment when the country experiences a struggle not only for presidency, but for an order and mechanisms of presidential elections. The new leader of the country Bidzina Ivanishvili doesn’t want conducting firect presidential elections. He has no intention to participate in them, while his favourite – Vakhtang Khmakadze – has no chances to win the elections. He would be the most comfortable president for Ivanishvili.

If the parliament elects a president, the top state position will definitely be taken by Khmaladze because the coalition Georgian Dream controls the absolute majority in the legislative body. In case of all-people elections not only the defense minister Irakly Alasania gets a chance to win, but also other candidates who are unacceptable for Ivanishvili. For example, Tbilisi’s mayor and one of leaders of the pro-presidential party Giga Ugulava and, of course, Nino Burdzhanadze.

Burdzhanadze might be the most uncomfortable president for Premier as unlike Saakashvili’s supporter Ugulava Nino toughly fought against the current president during all last years and contributed significantly to his failure.

At the moment Burdzhanadze doesn’t give any political comments, including statements on the autumn presidential elections. The government of Ivanishvili banned her speaking for 100 days because of her heavy criticism. However, the term in 100 days is running out. There are no doubts Burdzhanadze’s first statements will concern the constitutional reform and the order of presidential electing.