Georgia’s richest housewife has set aside the cares of hearth and home and walked onto the political stage in a big way. Make way for Ekaterine Khvedelize, the wife of billionaire-cum-opposition-politician Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The little-known Khvedelidze last week became the commander-in-chief of the Ivanishvili political army -- known as the Georgian Dream movement -- that hopes to give the boot to President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement party in this year's parliamentary elections.
Ivanishvili cannot chair his own political movement because his Georgian citizenship has been revoked by the government, which argues that his Russian and French citizenship violated Georgia's laws on citizenship. Khvedelidze’s Georgian citizenship, though similarly revoked, was reinstated late last month. And a political career was born.
“My wife is my closest friend and adviser,” Ivanishvili, who apparently views politics as a family business, commented on January 11. His first bet was his 19-year-old son, Uta, but then, given his age, the family council decided on Khvedelidze. This way, papa, mama and the kids, too, can all have a role in the Georgian Dream. Ivanishvili’s younger son, Bera, a popular rapper, provides the necessary musical scores.
“We all start somewhere,” Khvedelidze, standing alongside her husband, told reporters. “I hope the current government will not come up with some law that will bar my husband from giving me advice.”
Her political debut was met with an unabashed stream of gloating from Georgia's pro-government television channels. “From the kitchen to politics” was the headline of a Real TV story that taunted Ivanishvili’s pick.
The reports, though, had one valid point -- the choice of Khvedelidze suggests that Ivanishvili’s trust of his political allies only goes so far. Facing sagging approval rates, various opposition groups and their leaders have glued themselves to the billionaire in apparent hopes to hitch a ride to power. But none were entrusted with the mission to lead Team Ivanishvili. Looks like key posts and decisions will be reserved for the nearest and dearest.
Giorgi Lomsadze is a journalist based in Tbilisi, and author of Tamada Tales.
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