Margvelashvili Says Not Surprised by Decline in His Rating

President Margvelashvili said on May 9 that decline in his favorability rating was expected after former PM Bidzina Ivanishvili publicly criticized him.

President Margvelashvili’s favorability rating, according to a poll conducted in April, decreased from 72% in November to 46% in April.

“Decline in my rating was absolutely expected,” Margvelashvili told journalists after laying wreath at the memorial of Unknown Soldier in Tbilisi where Georgian veterans of the World War II every year on May 9 gather to mark the Victory Day.

“Bidzina Ivanishvili contributed hugely to the success that I had by [receiving] 62% of votes [in October, 2013 presidential election]. Naturally, after criticism voiced by Bidzina those people who were supporting me because of Bidzina, they now voiced opposite view; it’s absolutely natural and also acceptable for me.”

According to the same poll, which was commissioned by the U.S. National Democratic Institute and fielded by CRRC, 40% of respondents disapproved criticism voiced by Ivanishvili against President Margvelashvili in March; 35% took opposite view and 24% did not know.