Seven presidential candidates have been registered in Georgia

The first seven candidates for the post of the President of Georgia were registered today. Six were nominated represented by initiative groups, and only one candidate was nominated by a political party.

Initiative groups nominated: Michael Saluashvili, Tariel Hvelidze, Kirtadze, Giorgi Gahokiya, Mamuka Chokhonelidze and Nikoloz Gogidzhanidze.

The Labour Party of Georgia has nominated its leader – Shalva Natelashvili.

Now the registered candidates must collect 26 thousand signatures of their supporters before September 17.

Applications from the leader of the "Democratic Movement" Nino Burjanadze and the candidate of the ruling party, Giorgi Margvelashvily, have not yet been received. Among other expected candidates are the opera singer Paata Burchuladze, the parliamentary minority leader David Bakradze, and the ex-Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili.