A month is left before the parliamentary elections in Georgia. The main rivals are President Mikhail Saakashvili and billionaire Bezinda Ivanishvili. They try to turn the competition into a bright show with concerts and fireworks, covering over a bitter struggle with bright performances. Every day in various regions of the country concerts take place where participants urge people to vote for the ruling United National Movement (UNM) or the opposition Georgian Dream. For example, billionaire’s son Bera Ivanishvili sings for Georgian Dream. He is a rapper and very popular among teenagers; the opposition is interested in support of not only adults, but also young people. However, Bedzina Ivanishvili never forgets about his main idea: “Let’s return the old times to Georgia”, he means that the history of the country began not in 2003 from “the roses’ revolution.” He addresses to those who remember “good old times” and miss them. There are many such people in Georgia – who get tired from radical reforms by Saakashvili’s team.
President and other leaders of UNM have immediately used the opportunity of the ambiguous motto of the main opponent. “Let’sreturn the old times to Georgia” is easily transformed into “Let’s return Georgia to the old times.” The pro-governmental forces stated: “Support Ivanishvili and you will soon find yourself in the past when the country was ruled by “legal criminals,” you couldn’t enter university without a bribe, and electricity was provided to population only few hours a day.”
Of course the authors of such statements exaggerate the situation, but Ivanishvili “helps” them in it. He invited to the coalition various absolutely ambiguous people. They are different in values, political background, orientation, and so on. Some of them correlate to the stereotype promoted by UNM. At the same time, Saakashvili also goes too far. Daily he meets people and turns meetings to a big demonstration of support when people try to shake his hand and make a picture with him. Mikhail doesn’t reject anyone, sweeps children up and heavily criticizes “mummies and the Kremlin hell’s offspring trying to return the country to the past.” However, Ivanishvili’s name is never pronounced.
The problem of “the alternative team” is that it still has no clear program. The opposition cannot answer the question: if its aim is continuation of the course to joining NATO and the EU and the strict position on Abkhazian and South Ossetia, then why should electorate believe that they can provide this course better than Mikhail Saakashvili? What is the point in changing power?
The issue is serious. The main problem of Ivanishvili is thought to be absence of an alternative project of the country’s development. As the result, UNM still in advance of Georgian Dream: 54% of voters who plan to go to the elections are ready to vote for the presidential party; 33% - for the opposition.
The most important event of recent days was the first meeting between Ivanishvili and the former speaker of the parliament Nino Burdzhanadze. She is thought to be the most dangerous rival of UNM in the coming elections. Ahead of the meeting with Ivanishvili Burdzhanadze stated that her Democratic Movement – United Georgia will not take part in the parliamentary elections. It is not a surprise, as her party has a low rating. The billionaire didn’t promise her support, but expresses his good attitude. Two politicians have to won the parliament, and then think about taking the position of Premier.
