"Elections Are a Real Opportunity": A Georgian Opposition Remains

Georgia's interim government had reason for concern December 8 when Russia strengthened its relationship with Ajaria by "streamlining" their visa process for entry into Russia. The move, which Russia's Foreign Ministry announced "on a temporary basis," would let Ajarians gain visas instantly upon arrival at Moscow's airport.

This move aligns the Kremlin with Aslan Abashidze, the autocratic Ajarian leader who allied with former Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze during the widely criticized November 2 elections. Mikhail Saakashvili, the former opposition leader and presidential candidate from Georgia's interim government, acknowledged these fears on December 9.

Speaking to privately-owned Imedi TV in Tbilisi, Saakashvili said: "We will not allow anyone to shred Georgia into pieces. If someone wants to do so, they will fail." Abashidze has already threatened to boycott January 4 elections. If Ajarians do stay home, the election might fail to meet constitutional rules. If they support another bloc, Saakashvili might face a divided parliament. [For background see the EurasiaNet Insight archive].

Also among the opposition to the interim government is New Rights party leader David Gamkrelidze. The party leader met with B. Lynn Pascoe, US Assistant Deputy Secretary of State on December 3. Amid speculation that his party might split after a poor showing in the November 2 elections, Gamkrelidze remains a critic of Saakashvili's group. If he can win the affection of Georgian industrialists, he might constrain Saakashvili domestically. His ally, Levan Gachechiladze, seems more inclined to support Saakashvili and fellow former opposition leader Zurab Zhvania. [For background on Gamkrelidze's politics, see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Gamkrelidze talked with EurasiaNet contributor Giga Chilkadze.

EurasiaNet: What relation do you have with the interim authorities?
Gamkrelidze: We remain in opposition. If Misha Saakashvili becomes the president of Georgia we shall be in opposition to him. In any case opposition political parties are necessary for Georgia. The country has not really carried out democratic reforms. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. And in the past weeks in general there have occured a lot of strange and unpleasant attacks on journalists, threats, the private television company Kavkasia was closed on November 27. Socialist party leader Vakhtang Rcheulishvili [called Shevardnadze's resignation on November 23 a coup, and someone threw a rock into his wife's shop window.] On December 2, people violated an apartment belonging to Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, another leader of Shevardnadze's former bloc [and opponent of the interim government]. All this may disturb us.

EurasiaNet: Do you have fears concerning reprisals and witch hunts?
Gamkrelidze: Unfortunately, such tendencies are already shown. For example, Rustavi-2 has already declared, that a number of political figures, businessmen (including me) and even the head of a television company ostensibly are going to organize a counterrevolution. It was by similar [dissembling] that [the interim government] accomplished the "revolution" of November 23. I think that the new government will search constantly for enemies, instead of opponents. The new government should get used to the fact that in Georgia there will be always an opposition. The opposition will always examine all steps of the government, decisions, reshufflings, financial and legislative initiatives and, certainly, actions of the government during elections.

EurasiaNet: How do you think the elections January 4 will go?
Gamkrelidze: The truth is, a real competitor to Saakashvili is not present. Most other candidates are not serious. The main problem for Saakashvili today is not competitors, but turnout. appearance. According to the Constitution, presidential elections will be considered binding if at least 50 percent of voters participate. And in this case there are some problems.
If Ajaria does not take part, that will reduce turnout. Secondly, specific weather conditions may make it impossible for a set of voters in mountainous regions to vote during a winter election. Third, the date of elections is in the middle of the Orthodox Christian holiday. It will be very difficult for Saakashvili to create the necessary political context in which participation will be high enough. Here there are two possibilities. In the presidential elections of 2000, real turnout was 25 to 30 percent, but with the help of mass falsifications official turnout registered at 70 percent. Alternatively, elections in January could be annuled and repeated two months later.

EurasiaNet: Are you going to take part in forthcoming parliamentary elections?
Gamkrelidze: Yes, certainly. For our political party, elections are a real opportunity to gain authority and to participate in the political life of the country.