By Vestnik Kavkaza
The Georgian press is discussing the unfavorable economic situation in the country, which is explained by the continuing fall of the lari.
“The delayed reaction of the authorities and the National Bank of Georgia led the country to monetary collapse… On Black Tuesday $1 was equal to 2.26 lari officially and 2.35 lari in reality. If such a pace of the lari's fall continues, we cannot rule out that by the weekend the exchange rate will break a historic anti-record –2.45 lari per $1.
The NBG tried to fight this with a 40-million-lari intervention, but it was undertaken too late and brought no results. The government is staying silent. It seems that ministers have no plan. Experts don’t make optimistic forecasts and urge the authorities and the NBG to take urgent steps. Otherwise, devaluation will be followed by inflation and escalation of social tensions,” Rezonansi reports.
“The economic situation raises a logical question: how can the weak financial policy of the authorities be explained? Some people think it is direct sabotage. After the drastic devaluation of the lari, talks about sabotage by the National Bank became frequent. Economists note that the president of the NBG is acting in favor of the National Movement. By the way, Giorgi Kadagidze contributed to the bankruptcy of Standard Bank, which belonged to Badri Patarkatsishvili, and to an attack on the Karta Bank of Bidzina Ivanishvili. In this situation, the Georgian government is helpless,” Rezonansi notes.
Not everybody has such a conspiratorial point of view. The majority believe that the government is not able to deal with the responsibility. Some people demand staff changes and the resignations of top officials who fail to fulfil their duties.
The leader of the Free Georgia party, Kakha Kukava, stands for the idea. “The way out is to dismiss the government. At least the ministers in the economic sector should resign. We remember that the government told us three years ago that 2015 would be a favorable year for us. The year turns out to be a year of pulling in our belts. It means the economy of the country has collapsed. Ministers are making statements, but panic is written on their faces. It confirms that the devaluation of the lari will continue,” Rezonansi cites him.
The former Defense Minister, Irakli Alasania, the head of Free Democrats, a party which used to be a part of the ruling coalition Georgian Dream, is also criticizing the government. “In his last interview Bidzina Ivanishvili made a very bad impression not only on me, but also on citizens. I often visit regions, meet the population, and they are dissatisfied with his statements. Unfortunately, Mr. Ivanishvili is behind the times. He is still concerned about alliances between political forces. He is especially focused on the Free Democrats. I think he should think more about the economy of Georgia. He is actually the Prime Minister, rules the authorities, and it would be better for him to take responsibility for the economy. This should be his concern. Society expects this from him. I wish him to be oriented toward the future,” Alasania told the newspaper.
The former Defense Minister blames his former boss, a successful businessman, for the inability to provide a policy which would enable Georgia to find a way out of the difficult economic situation. “Obviously, decisions are made too late, especially decisions on the economy and investments. They are delayed, as everything must be coordinated with Ivanishvili. As a result, we are losing investors. Considering this fact, the economic situation is getting worse day by day, while the government has no plan to take the country out of the crisis. The head of the government should explain to investors and citizens what steps and internal or external factors have caused the problems. The Prime Minister hasn’t done this yet. The Prime Minister is the weakest link in the government. It results in economic problems,” Irakli Alasania believes.
At the same time, the Free Democrats and their supporters were criticized as well due to the fault of Alasania himself, who told the TV-channel Tabula that he didn’t rule out cooperating with the UNM in fighting Georgian Dream. The statement was heavily criticized for his readiness to cooperate with the former ruling party.
However, another member of thd Free Democrats had to reply to the criticism – Zurab Abashidze. “Alasania’s statement was misinterpreted. To be fair, cooperation with the National Movement hasn’t been and will never be discussed. I remind you about Saakashvili’s interview, in which he gave a clear characteristic to Irakli Alasania. I think the issue is over. If there is a crisis in the authorities, of course it will lead to early elections. In case of a crisis and the parliament doesn’t have confidence in the government, ths Free Democrats will demand early elections, but we won’t establish a coalition with the National Movement. It is nonsense. We don’t plan to form a coalition with any party,” Rezonansi cites him.
Another topic for discussion was the visit by Georgian President Georgi Margvelashvili to Kiev, where he participated in events devoted to the first anniversary of the Maidan, which led the country into a long-lasting political crisis.
Not everybody supported the decision by the head of state. Demur Giorkhelidze is one of the critics of the President. “Speaking about the decision by Giorgi Margvelashvili to participate in the March of Dignity in Kiev, I think it was a propaganda event. Nobody spoke about the events which took place a year ago in Ukraine. Those who understand the political context cannot like the participation of their President in such a propaganda event in a country with such a difficult situation. Nobody can say how Ukraine will overcome it,” Kviris Palitra cites him.
The expert also touched on the appointment of former officials of the country to top positions in Ukraine. “The appointments of former Georgian officials are Ukraine’s business. But it means the Kiev authorities disrespect Georgia. We all know what reformers these people are. So when they call us fools and disrespect our opinion, it influences Georgian-Ukrainian relations very negatively. Use Saakashvili and others! You're welcome! Take them all,” Giorkhelidze thinks.
“The process has another side. It is an attempt to save the former ruling party. It is the Ukrainians’ choice. As far as I know, some American and European political circles put great pressure on the Kiev authorities. The National Movement is being improved for one reason only – to return it to Georgia someday. It is an extremely experienced force, which fulfils orders effectively. Saakashvili has never had an adequate view on the attitudes of the Georgian people. Unfortunately, even officials who were elected by the population gratify Saakashvili’s ambitions,” he complains.
