New Rights Want Alasania as New President

Davit Gamkrelidze, the leader of opposition New Rights Party, said he would support Irakli Alasania for presidency in case of early elections.

“In the presidential elections, which will be called after Saakashvili’s resignation, I will not run for presidency and I will support Irakli Alasania; that is the decision taken by me and the New Rights Party; but I am making this statement without prior agreement with Irakli Alasania… I am speaking on behalf of my party,” Gamkrelidze told the public TV’s Weekly Politics program on February 22.

Gamkrelidze was a presidential candidate in January 5, 2008 early elections and garnered 4% of votes.

“Today Georgia needs new type of leader, like it is Irakli Alasania,” he said. “I believe Irakli Alasania will be a good president first of all because he will never usurp power and will never consider himself the cleverest, capable of unilaterally rule the country; he will never take the similar stance towards Russia, unlike the one we have seen in recent years; and he will not have the similar stance towards the private property, as Mikheil Saakashvili has. I am absolutely sure in this.”

He also said that “a strong alternative” political force was needed to challenge President Saakashvili.

“We all together will create – New Rights, Republicans, Irakli Alasania and his team – strong alternative,” Gamkrelidze said.

The New Rights and the Republican Party established a two-party alliance in December, 2008.

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