Choosing from the Ministers
Op-Ed
The “real” leader of the country, Bidzina Ivanishvili, finally showed up in public again in an interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster. However, it was not live, apparently checked a few hundred times and cut and pasted. Nevertheless, it was highly awaited by a political class very interested to hear what the Chairman of the Georgian Dream would say about ex-Premier Kvirikashvili and how he would answer the key question of the upcoming political battle: who will the presidential candidate from the ruling party be?
It was rumored within political circles that Ivanishvili himself might run for President, but he said no, citing his lack of interest. Hardly surprising- it’s a post so deprived of power that he is even ready to pass it to a politician from another party rather than keep it for Georgian Dream. He also mentioned a quartet of his favorites within the party: Zurab Abashidze, Sozar Subari, Davit Sergeenko and Tea Tsulukiani, adding that although the final decision had yet to be made, GD has been discussing these candidates for a while.
Apparently, it is Ivanishvili, who hasn’t made up his mind yet - we all know that the so-called Political Committee of the Georgian Dream does not decide anything without him, clearly seen in the ex-Premier Kvirikashvili incident, and we still don’t know what will happen to Kvirikashvili. There’s a lot for Ivanishvili to reflect on and examine about the future presidential candidate, the example of Margvelashvili alone proves this. We all know what a headache Margvelashvili was for Ivanishvili and GD, the number of vetoes we’ve witnessed and how the ruling party changed the legislation against him. Recall the case of the Presidential Residence, which was the apple of discord between Ivanishvili and his then-chosen president. But it is early to conclude what the new President will do, refuse to reside in the Presidential Palace or not? But, clearly, Ivanishvili won’t be able to bare anyone living there anymore, especially when the Presidential Palace can be seen in all its grace from his own “Residential Palace” above Sololaki. In any case, Ivanishvili will make the decision on the party’s candidate out of the chosen quartet mentioned above.
Undoubtedly, Tea Tsulukiani should be his N1 favorite: just like Ivanishvili, she too hates the Presidential Residence built by Saakashvili, and is unlikely to veto any decisions of Parliament; however, moving Tsulukiani to a “minor” post such as that of the President of Georgia isn’t a good idea, as now she is responsible for a much more important thing: the Court and the Prosecutor’s system. And who knows what could come to pass with whoever replaces her as minister; maybe one fine day they decide to free the political opponents from prison and bury the Georgian Dreamers once and for all?
Sozar Subar is a realistic possibility for President of Georgia (videos for his campaign have already been shot in Svaneti), but he is quite inexperienced in big politics, plus his “Rose Revolutionary” past hangs over him like the Sword of Damocles. Sergeenko, then? Well, even though he might be the most acceptable candidate for Ivanishvili, he could be a bit unsuitable for this post. Not because he could embarrass the billionaire abroad, but because he seemingly lacks charisma. The big quartet’s final representative is Zurab Abashidze. There’s no need to mention his diplomatic opportunities and connections with Russia, we know that. Most importantly though, we should remember that he is the most acceptable and familiar candidate for the Kremlin. He is the “dignified descendent of the Old Red Intelligentsia,” which is no minor quality for a candidate running for this post. Moreover, Abashidze is not burdened by the electoral promises of the Georgian Dream, hence no one will ask him to comment on those absurd claims. As for the rest, the experienced diplomat will be able to “figure something out.” Even regardless of this, Ivanishvili won’t have difficulties collecting the votes, therefore, it is highly possible that Ivanishvili will choose him.
The only candidate who can compete right now is Salome Zurabishvili, and clearly because of the attitude of Ivanishvili, her chances are enormous, and the ruling party may well support him (also because no one will ask her to answer for the election promises of the Georgian Dream and because she won’t need large funds during the election process).
If the main goal of Georgia is to become a member of the European Union within the upcoming 12 years, who better to take the relevant steps in this direction if not a citizen of the European Union and a woman who was raised in France – Salome Zurabishvili. If we take into consideration the fact that the main candidates of the oppositional parties are Grigol Vashadze and Davit Bakradze, it is quite possible that in October we’ll be choosing our next president from the former Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
By Zaza Jgarkava