Two Opposition Parties Nominate Shavgulidze as Mtatsminda Candidate

Opposition parties European Georgia and Free Democrats united to name Shalva Shavgulidze as the joint majoritarian candidate in the Mtatsminda constituency.

“Two political parties have decided to create an electoral bloc which will participate in the mid-term elections,"  Shavgulidze stated at a press conference. "Our cooperation will be based on common visions and values, such as the rule of law, real mechanisms of balance and control between the branches of government, administration of the country by a small but effective government subjected to constitutional control, protection of human rights, state security and Euro-Atlantic integration.”

Later, the United National Movement also made a statement, saying they will support Shavgulidze in the by-elections.

Roman Gotsiridze, Chairman of the UNM faction, said he welcomes any unification of opposition parties. He added the UNM will probably not have a candidate in the districts, to help the opposition win.

“We welcome any unification. We saw in the presidential elections that unification is effective. It is good that they nominated a joint candidate,” said Gotsiridze.

By-elections in the Mtatsminda constituency will be held on May 19, 2019. The elections were appointed due to the suspension of the MP mandate of Salome Zurabishvili, who was Majoritarian (single mandate) independent MP from Mtatsminda in Parliament after she was elected as President of Georgia.

By Thea Morrison