By Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania was dismissed yesterday as a result of a corruption scandal at his ministry. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili fired him for “an attempt at politicizing the ministry in the investigation into corruption in his establishment.” “The minister has made an irresponsible statement that there is a threat to the Euro-Atlantic path of Georgia… Considering the need to maintain depoliticization of the army and the security of the country, it was decided to dismiss Irakli Alasania,” Garibashvili explained. The ex-minister said that he will address the Council of the Georgian Dream coalition to discuss what prosecutors and the events would bring in the context of the political orientation and future of Georgia.
“We are very unhappy that there are people in Georgian Dream who sometimes speak against the pro-Western policy, joining NATO and the EU,” Levan Berdzenishvili, the founder of the Republican Party and a member of parliament, told Vestnik Kavkaza. “If a man is in our coalition, he cannot speak against NATO and the EU. Otherwise he does not belong in the coalition,” the politician said. Thus, he explained the point of the differences accumulating in Georgian Dream. The coalition was formed by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili as a front against Saakashvili. It consists of diverse groups with different ideologies, systems of values and foreign political orientations. Pro-Western groups had been dominating until recently, but there were others who spoke for a more moderate foreign course, a compromise and even rapprochement with Russia, especially in the light of signing of the EU Association Agreement. The agreement on formation of a deep and comprehensive trade zone gives Brussels the right “to impose a tax on access to the market” for Georgian farmers, while Russia keeps its market open for Georgian products.
David Usupashvili, the speaker of parliament, a republican, condemned the prosecutors. He seems to see a political background in the arrest of staff of the pro-Western Defense Ministry. The “republican party” may criticize the government publicly, unless its demand for a “clear coalition agreement” is fulfilled. “They do not want to leave the coalition, because they understand their low rating,” political analyst Giorgi Khukhashvili told Vestnik Kavkaza.
Considering that the Republicans and Free Democrats may be backed up by the National Movement of Mikheil Saakashvili, who has recently declared his return to politics, and the pro-Western President Giorgi Margvelashvili, the country may face a new political configuration and it is unclear whether the 32-year-old prime minister can overcome the challenge.
A new political configuration may form in the countryBy Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively for Vestnik KavkazaGeorgian Defense Minister Irakli Alasania was dismissed yesterday as a result of a corruption scandal at his ministry. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili fired him for “an attempt at politicizing the ministry in the investigation into corruption in his establishment.” “The minister has made an irresponsible statement that there is a threat to the Euro-Atlantic path of Georgia… Considering the need to maintain depoliticization of the army and the security of the country, it was decided to dismiss Irakli Alasania,” Garibashvili explained. The ex-minister said that he will address the Council of the Georgian Dream coalition to discuss what prosecutors and the events would bring in the context of the political orientation and future of Georgia.“We are very unhappy that there are people in Georgian Dream who sometimes speak against the pro-Western policy, joining NATO and the EU,” Levan Berdzenishvili, the founder of the Republican Party and a member of parliament, told Vestnik Kavkaza. “If a man is in our coalition, he cannot speak against NATO and the EU. Otherwise he does not belong in the coalition,” the politician said. Thus, he explained the point of the differences accumulating in Georgian Dream. The coalition was formed by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili as a front against Saakashvili. It consists of diverse groups with different ideologies, systems of values and foreign political orientations. Pro-Western groups had been dominating until recently, but there were others who spoke for a more moderate foreign course, a compromise and even rapprochement with Russia, especially in the light of signing of the EU Association Agreement. The agreement on formation of a deep and comprehensive trade zone gives Brussels the right “to impose a tax on access to the market” for Georgian farmers, while Russia keeps its market open for Georgian products.David Usupashvili, the speaker of parliament, a republican, condemned the prosecutors. He seems to see a political background in the arrest of staff of the pro-Western Defense Ministry. The “republican party” may criticize the government publicly, unless its demand for a “clear coalition agreement” is fulfilled. “They do not want to leave the coalition, because they understand their low rating,” political analyst Giorgi Khukhashvili told Vestnik Kavkaza.Considering that the Republicans and Free Democrats may be backed up by the National Movement of Mikheil Saakashvili, who has recently declared his return to politics, and the pro-Western President Giorgi Margvelashvili, the country may face a new political configuration and it is unclear whether the 32-year-old prime minister can overcome the challen
