The main political event of the last few days in Georgia was President George Margvelashvili's speech in the parliament of the country on February 3rd. The President's speech was positively assessed by observers.
"On February 3rd President was more self-assured, rigorous and strict than in previous years when he considered himself as oppressed. Margvelashvili has no illusions that the Georgian dream will lose the elections. He is confident in their victory, but at the same time he is preparing for a big political game. He has skilled counselors who analyze what will definitely happen. The situation is becoming strained in the country. The social sphere, which determines policy, is in a difficult situation. No prerequisites that poverty will be overcome after two or three years, and economic progress will start in the country. President Margvelashvili will fight for remaining in politics. Look at his talented and young team. They have healthy ambitions. He managed to carry out good selection. I wonder why Bidzina Ivanishvili didn't notice Pikria Chikhradze, who works as a Margvelashvili's adviser. She is a very talented, well-balanced and intelligent woman who satisfies all the necessary parameters, the Alia cites political scientist Soso Tsintsadze.
A member of the Club of Independent Experts Iosif Tsiskarishvili sticks to the similar opinion. "Above all the President's speech was interesting by the fact it was attended by members of the government and Prime Minister. An interesting change took place in political life of our country's and the society that saw two major public institution finally showed respect for each other. As for the President's report, I think that quite reasonable and correct accents were made. We saw that his speech was listened by the audience with pleasure and issues that he spoke about were a priority and important to them," the Rezonansi cites him as saying.
The also expert noted that Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili's presence and ministers at the event gives hope that the days of conflict relations between President and the government remained in the past. "As for the new turn in relations between Prime Minister and President, this change was not surprising for me because after the Garibashvili's dismissal I expected that the new prime minister will make a change in political life. The presence of the cabinet at the President's speech confirmed these assumptions because otherwise the Garibashvili's dismissal would be senseless. The fact that Kvirikashvili is an electoral life buoy of the Georgian dream justifies expectations assigned to them. I don't rule out that prior to the appointment to the post of Prime Minister the main Kvirikashvili's requirement was independence. I assume that Ivanishvili promised him independence and the first manifestation of this was a communication with President,'' Tsiskarishvili said.
Another significant event was presidential elections of the Gardabani region on January 28th that failed to take place without scandal.
"Extraordinary elections of the head of the Gardabani council took place against the backdrop of a verbal and physical confrontation. The incident occurred at the station №2. The National Movement accuses activists of the Georgian Dream of provoking it, but they categorically deny it. According to the executive secretary of the party Irakli Kobakhidze, the incident was provoked representatives of the Free zone. 2 candidate participated in the elections from the Georgian dream – a former football player Gocha Jamarauli, as well as Besik Kahabrishvili from the National Movement. The elections took place after the death of the former head of the town council Garsevana Nioradze. 63 main sections were opened in Gardabani and another special site was opened on the territory of the military base in Vaziani. 625 representatives from 16 local observation organizations, 8 members of an international organization and 166 representatives of 11 media organizations were observed the election process. The stations were opened from 8 AM up to 8 PM. The total number of voters were 71,847 people. According to the speaker CEC Anna Mikeladze, 23805 people, or 33.13% took part in the elections from the total number of voters," the Rezonansi reports.
"At a polling station 2 verbal squabble turned into physical abuse and throwing stones. During the squabble one of the activists was armed. There were also representatives of the National Movement Sergo Ratiani, Koba Khabazi and Giga Bokeria. According to the district election commission, the incident did not prevent the election process. Small incidents occurred on the territories of the stations 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 62. At about 5:00 PM a brawl took place at the polling station 62 between representatives of the majority and members of the National Movement Dimitry Shashkin. According to Shashkin, people in masks were on territory of the station and put pressure on voters. Before 5:00 PM elections were taking place calmly and fairly at the station. about 40 people in masks surrounded the station at 5:00 PM. The same people opposed Giga Bokeria. They surrounded the site and began to insult voters who came into the station. We called the police, but it didn't arrive,'' Dmitri Shashkin said. The member of the majority Davit Lortkipanidze was there all that time. According to him, there were no events described by Shashkin,'' the newspaper reports.
Summing up the results of the elections, some observers attempted to extrapolate it to the whole country, trying to predict the outcome of the autumn parliamentary elections on this grounds.
"The first thing the elections in Gardabani showed was what should be expected at the autumn elections – the passivity of the electorate. According to preliminary data, the turnout was 33%, it is a very small number. In view of these data, the activity may be slightly higher than during the parliamentary elections, i.e. about 40%. It was obvious that a candidate of the Georgian dream would win in Gardabani. Firstly, a tradition has formed in recent years that a candidate from the authorities always wins in the mid-term elections. In addition, Gardabani is famous for its ethnic diversity and the non-Georgian population always supports the ruling party,'' Kviris Palitra cites expert Vakhtang Dzabiradze.
"The ruling coalition has the highest chances of winning a coalition, but not with 70% support. The current important thing is that the authorities and the opposition have taken care of the activation of the voters. If it fails, the problem will appear after the elections because if the activity is low it will cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election results. Several confrontations took place in Gardabani, but it's not a problem. We can find those who wish to arrange a provocation. The main thing is that the authorities are ready for it. Frankly speaking, I'm wondering why the National Movement took part in elections that were lost beforehand. I don't exclude that they are specially rehearsed provocations and unrest before the autumn elections, but it is hard to believe how the events were taking place," he added.
However, many believe that the upcoming vote will be a difficult test for the ruling Georgian Dream coalition.
Georgian Dream will have to go to the edge, which is called risking getting the majority of places. Whoever comes to power, whatever configuration takes place, the average Georgian won't feel that he personally elected the authorities. Politicians make mistakes when they look at the political process in a very narrow way. Today the main opponents of the government are not political parties, but Georgian society that always wins in the confrontation with the authorities. It is unlikely that Georgian Dream will regain the disillusioned voters. It is simply impossible to eradicate frustration in a few months. Despite the fact that there are systemic and internal contradictions among the subjects of Georgian Dream, and they even often hate each other, a feeling of self worthlessness won't allow them to get off Bidzina Ivanishvili's shoulders. In fact, neither the partners of the coalition, nor the political figures are legitimate in the voters' understanding, because people don't trust them,'' the publication Rezonansi cites expert Gia Khukhashvili.
"In fact, today the whole of Georgian Dream leaches off Ivanishvili and they don't want to get off of his shoulders. They know that in that case they would be doomed to withdraw from politics. To some extent, the Ivanishvili brand will be present at the elections, like in 2012. However, Ivanishvili in 2016 is not Ivanishvili in 2012. Unfortunately, there is a big difference, but he retained authority as the center of the power. Perhaps people don't have a positive attitude to him anymore, but he is recognized as the center of power. It is not important who loves you, but who is the center of power," he said.
In this respect, the issue of the ex-prime minister's return to politics still continues to be discussed.
"Despite the fact that Georgian Dream is anticipating elections without Bidzina Ivanishvili, he is not the leader of the party anymore and he doesn't hold any official position. According to experts, the coalition is still associated with him and that is why people will vote for the coalition again for Ivanishvili's sake. They say that in this respect his departure didn't change anything, because in the eyes of society he is still identified with the authorities and he is still responsible for the political events in the country. Political scientists name the reasons for the creation of similar sentiments. His opponents have actively worked it out. After Ivanishvili's departure from politics, themes that the decision was a mistake continue to be discussed – Ivanishvili should return and his team cannot cope without him, because in 2012 people voted for Ivanishvili, rather than Georgian Dream,'' Rezonansi reports.
"Representatives of the authorities actively discuss the necessity of the return of the former prime minister, but Ivanishvili rules it out in each of his interviews. Political analysts believe that, despite Ivanishvili's attempts to dissociate himself from the government, he still remains in Georgian Dream for the people. According to Professor Igor Kveselava, Ivanishvili should be the chairman of the party or the general secretary in order to have influence. Kveselava believes that Ivanishvili is not interested in this position. "It is clear that he is the standard for all the members of Georgian Dream. Bidzina Ivanishvili is associated with Georgian Dream, and Georgian Dream with Bidzina Ivanishvili. Speaking of power, people don't mention Georgian Dream, but Ivanishvili, because it is the same thing for them. I am sure that they will win. Ivanishvili will make political moves to win and attract voters to the polls on the threshold of the elections," the analyst noted. He was sure that people would support Ivanishvili and the coalition once again ant they would win the elections. Kveselava said that today there is no financially or ideologically strong party in Georgia that could resist Georgian Dream, the article in the newspaper informs.
Closely following the political life of the country, the Georgian media don't forget about the economy, and in particular about agriculture. In this regard, the press notes that almost all the products of local manufacturers have disappeared from the agricultural market of the country.
"Imported fruits and vegetables prevail in the consumer market. Georgian products disappeared from the shelves sooner than expected. Representatives of the agrarian sector see the reason for this in the growth of exports, especially from the Russian Federation, due to the embargo of Turkish goods. At the same time, there is a problem with the quality and the price, because high quality fruit is not sold 2-3 laris cheaper. As for vegetables, the cheapest product on the agricultural market is cabbage, which is sold for 40-50 tetri, and 1 kg of carrots is 1.5 laris. Georgian carrots can be told from foreign by the presence of dirt. This niche is well-known to consumers who often visit the agricultural market. Iranian and Armenian carrots prevail on the market today. Onions and garlic are also imported as a rule. Bulgarian peppers and eggplants are fully imported mainly from abroad,’’ Rezonansi informs.
"I trade apples. I bought the products from Gori peasants up to the present time, but almost nothing is left of Gori fruits. We bought very little from Racha, too. Villagers say that the year was bad for the crops. Other reasons for the absence of Georgian fruits are unknown to us. The majority of fruits are from Greece, Turkey and Iran, as well as a few from Armenia. The price of imported apples starts from 3.5 to 4 up to 6 laris. Citrus fruits are cheaper. For example, Greek oranges are 2 laris. Stocks of Georgian fruit are drying up, and that influences the quality... Local products are always in high demand, but there are no products physically,’’ the edition cites merchant Levan Shubladze.
Finally, such a success for the Georgian defense industry as the supply of a large batch of armored vehicles army to Saudi Arabia went without press attention.
"The maximum speed of the Delta medical-evacuation armored vehicles, the weight of which is 8.2 tons, is up to 120 km/h. It can carry 2 crew members, 4 bedridden patients and one medic. According to the agreement, more than 100 Delta armored vehicles are to be delivered to Saudi Arabia worth 90 million laris by the end of the year. According to the general contract, the number of Delta armored vehicles sold may reach several 100 units. Everything will depend on how the Georgian medical-evacuation armored DIDGORI-Medevac will show itself in the fighting in Yemen, because Saudi Arabia will send them to the front where their staff bear heavy losses. On January 30th, Delta loaded 12 DIDGORI-Medevac equipment into a heavy transport aircraft Ruslan and sent them to Saudi Arabia. This is the first sale of a large number of armored vehicles in the history of independent Georgia, which should bring our country serious financial and political profits,’’ the military-political magazine Arsenali reports.
"Financial profits will be beneficial for the Delta team. Firstly, it will give self-confidence and pride to employees, and secondly, other competitive projects of military and dual-use with the help of the funds, as well as implement and participate in other international tenders. Products of military and dual-use items have been exported from Georgia for 70 years, but it happened on behalf of the Soviet Union until 1991. After the restoration of the country’s independence, Georgia sold more than 26 units of the Su-25, assembled at the Tbilisi aircraft plant. The sales of a large quantity of medical evacuation armored vehicles, which were assembled in Tbilisi, opens up interesting prospects for Georgia on the international arms market,’’ the edition sums up.
