Ketevan Mgebrishvili exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
In May, the vice-premier and the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Georgy Margvelashvili was presented as a candidate for the presidency from the ruling coalition Georgian Dream. Premier of Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili stated that Georgian Dream members had one common opinion about Margvelashvili’s nomination as he was supported by everyone. According to Ivanishvili, Margvelashvili has all skills demanded to be the country’s president – the Premier especially emphasized Margvelashvili’s education, his creativity, effective decision-making in crisis situations – “moreover, Georgy has political experience; he is a skilful analysts and expert, as well as a strong opponent. I believe it is the best option, even perfect,” Ivanishvili noted.
Georgy Margvelashvili thanked the Prime Minister and the coalition for given credence. “A big struggle is waiting for us… We have clearly showed the society that caring about the population is our priority; and we will continue working in this direction,” Margvelashvili stated.
According to the official biography of the candidate to presidency in 1992 he graduated from the Philosophy Department of Tbilisi State University. Then, Margvelashvili studied in Prague. In 1998 Georgy defended a thesis and became PhD.
In 1996 Margvelashvili began to read a course of philosophy in Tbilisi Independent University. In 2000 he became the president of one of the most prestigious universities of the country – Georgian Institute of Public Affairs - and had been heading it for eight years.
When he was working in the Institute, Margvelashvili closely cooperated with the future premier of Georgia Zurab Zhvania who read lectures on politics and international affairs in GIPA in 2002-2003. In 2006 GIPA published Zurab Zhvania’s book headlined “Privileges of Our Generation” and Georgy Margvelashvili was one of its editors. He also actively cooperated with the former chairman of the Georgian parliament Nino Burdzhanadze. In 2008 Burdzhanadze rejected participation in the parliamentary elections and established the Fund of Democratic Development; one of its councilors was Georgy Margvelashvili.
He didn’t take part in the election campaign of Georgian Dream; but the supported the opposition in his media statements. After the victory in the elections Ivanishvili offered Georgy the position of the Minister of Education and Science. The head of the Georgian government has many times stated that Margvelashvili was appointed to the position of the minister due to his personal request. “It took a lot of time to persuade Georgy to head the ministry. I can say I have almost made him be the minister,” Ivanishvili said at one of press conferences.
In February 2013 Margvelashvili was promoted to the vice-premier of the Georgian government. It happened after Premier had dismissed Irakly Alasania from the position.
In March 2013 the Minister of Education faced serious resistance from students, when authorization of the Agricultural University of Georgia was frozen.
During several days students of the university protested in front of the ministry and accused Margvelashvili of political pressing on the university. The Ministry of Education stated that authorization would be recovered when the university corrected its charter, according to the laws. As the result, requirements were fulfilled and authorization was recovered.
Ivanishvili praised the Minister of Education for his principle position and complained that the parliamentary majority left Margvelashvili alone with the opponents.
Nevertheless, whether the candidate to presidency from Georgian Dream can win the elections or not will be seen in October.
