Interview by Georgy Kalatozishvili. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Georgian politicians are preparing for the presidential elections of October 27. Vestnik Kavkaza presents interviews with main candidates to the top state position. The first guest of our series is the leader of the Christian-Democratic Movement (CDM), Georgy Targamadze.
- Georgy, why did you decide to be a presidential candidate? It is obvious that the favourite is the candidate from the ruling coalition Georgian Dream, Georgy Margvelashvili. Sociologists say that nobody can compete with him seriously.
- I believe it is natural that a party of the European type which wants to be an active participant in the political life of the country presents candidates in elections of all levels, including presidential. Our party has a clear program of the country’s development. Our movement is 4.5 years old only, but we have already taken part in two parliamentary elections, the elections to the Supreme Council of the Adzharia Autonomous Republic, and municipal elections. In all of them we showed good results.
We think that last year's parliamentary elections completed an important stage in the development of the Georgian political system. An era of truly European, pluralist democracy is beginning in Georgia. The CDM is an initiator of the new constitutional model, which begins its operation after the presidential elections. Georgia is transforming from a presidential into a parliamentary republic. However, as the president is elected by direct vote, he will possess a direct mandate from the population. It means the head of state will play an important role in political and social life. The president will have a decisive vote in foreign affairs; he will also settle arguments between the government and the parliament.
The CDM in Europe, including Georgia, is a centrist movement which is far from any radicalism. So, we have a full moral and political right to apply for the top position. Whether I personally correspond to the requirements, it should be decided by the party and voters. We have always tried to find compromises when any crises appeared – and we succeed in this. Moreover, in our country there is a process of confrontation between the President and the Premier, as well as between their teams. Last year's parliamentary elections were a referendum, a revolution near ballot stations against Mikheil Saakashvili and his United National Movement. However, due to the confrontation, other parties remained aside. We get a parliament where the ruling Georgian Dream coalition not only prevails, but controls the constitutional majority. Monopolization of power takes place. But we have already seen this in the era of Saakashvili’s power. The tendency contradicts our goal – to develop Georgia as a democratic country of the European type, a state where several political parties influence political processes. It is important for the president to be a representative of an alternative political force which is able to counterbalance the ruling coalition. This is an important advantage of a Christian-Democratic president.
- What is the CDM'a election program? Do you have a slogan which can express the essence of your program briefly?
- Today we are working on our election tactics. Our movement doesn't have the huge resources which would be enough for months of a strict election race. We intend to rely on our human resources and regional structures. We count on the middle class – it is the foundation of the future Georgia. These people don’t wait for government support in developing their small and medium-sized businesses. An important part of our program is the development of regionalism. If the middle class were to be affluent, Georgia would be a more stable state.
We believe that development of the regional infrastructure is a high priority, as well as support for healthcare and education. Our economic program differs from the programs of our rivals. Our program is clear. It is a model of a socially-responsible economy, which has been implemented by Christian-Democrats in Central and Eastern Europe. Germany is a bright example. The key notion is social responsibility. I think the population will understand this notion, which is an engine of progress in many developed countries.
- What steps will you take to settle conflicts?
- I don’t think any Georgian politician has a magic wand to settle the problems of the territorial integrity of Georgia and to settle relations with Russia. I am a rational pessimist in this sphere. I believe that firm peace and stability are short-term targets. I support the idea of establishing systemic conditions for not using force in settling conflict situations. Military force is unacceptable.
The Caucasus is one of the most difficult and conflictogenic regions in the world. It is hard to find compromises. But our historic, cultural, and religious traditions establish a platform for working and cooperating, including with neighboring Russia.
However, in this sphere I am not as optimistic as the ruling coalition and its leader Bidzina Ivanishvili. The current government takes no principal position toward Russia. I don’t think just loyalty can bring achievements. We have to find mutual interests. Of course radicalism is unacceptable. I have never supported the aggressive rhetoric if Mikheil Saakashvili, which encouraged the conflict. It was a strategic mistake. On the other hand, the new authorities are too loyal to the Kremlin, trying to exaggerate groundless expectations. In fact the situation is not changing. However, we should build new cultural, human, economic and trade relations with Russia. At the same time, wine and vegetable exports and the growth of Russian tourist inflow is not enough to admit the negative reality over Georgian territorial integrity. 20% of our territory is occupied by Russian troops.
Thus, the policy toward Russia will be difficult. Moreover, Russia’s policy toward Georgia and the Caucasus region hasn’t been formed yet. I believe this is harmful for Russia herself. I think the Orthodox churches of both countries could play an important role. Anyway, the territorial integrity of Georgia is our unchangeable value.
