Press: Opposition Mulls over Single Mayoral Candidate

Georgian media outlets report on August 7 that intensive consultations are underway between seven opposition parties to nominate a single Tbilisi mayoral candidate to confront the ruling party?s nomination, current Mayo Gigi Ugulava, in the upcoming local self-governance elections scheduled for this autumn.

The daily Rezonansi reported that the New Rights party is trying to convince other opposition leaders to nominate the influential financial and media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili. Rustavi 2 television reported that some opposition leaders even met with the tycoon recently to discuss the issue, but Patarkatsishvili has not yet made a public statement about his intentions.

During the consultations opposition parties also considered the possibility of nominating ex-State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Giorgi Khaindrava, who was sacked in July.

But the daily 24 Saati (24 Hours) quoted Khaindrava as saying that talks about his nomination are ?unserious.?

MP Mamuka Katsitadze of the New Rights party told Rezonansi that the Conservative Party wants to nominate its leader MP Koba Davitashvili; the Republican Party is pushing for one of its leaders Tina Khidasheli, while the Industrialists are in favor of its leader Gogi Topadze, ex-parliamentarian and beer magnate.

The Labor, Freedom and People?s Forum parties are more inclined to boycott elections, although they have not yet made any final decisions.

Irakli Melashvili of the People?s Forum told Rezonansi that ?it is quite difficult for seven opposition parties to nominate a single candidate.?

So far only two politicians have publicly announced their intention to run for Tbilisi mayoral race: current Mayor Gigi Ugulava and Salome Zourabichvili, ex-Foreign Minister and leader of opposition Georgia?s Way party. The latter has refused to team up with other opposition parties.

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