Paper: ‘Backstage Struggle’ on in Ruling Party for Mayor’s Office

The Georgian daily Rezonansi (Resonance) reported on June 29 that “a backstage struggle” is on in the ruling National Movement party over the Tbilisi Mayor office, which according to the new proposal will be elected indirectly by elected Tbilisi City Council next year. This new proposal has already been approved by the Parliament with its first hearing, triggering opposition’s protests.

The Rezonansi speculates that currently there are three persons in the ruling party with the ambition to become the capital city Mayor: MP Giorgi Arveladze, who is the political secretary of the National Movement, MP Gigi Tsereteli and MP Beso Jugeli. Only this latter has yet officially confirmed his intention to run for the Tbilisi Mayor’s office, the paper reported.

According to the Rezonansi, MP Giorgi Arveladze’s possible nomination is mainly supported by the ‘young wing’ of the ruling party, which also includes an influential parliamentarian Giga Bokeria. While, MP Gigi Tsereteli will be supported by those parliamentarians who were regarded as late Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania’s allies.

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