Georgian opposition

Niko Pirosmanashvili [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Georgian Politics in Action

Washington-based analyst Vladimir Socor has a new briefing out that takes a look at the political opposition in Georgia and its possible upcoming activities. I was particularly struck by a passage that focussed on how wine is figuring into the opposition's (and Moscow's) calculus. From Socor's piece:

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took part this weekend in the cherry-picking history game that both Russians and Georgians like to play. Laying a stone at the new "We Were Together in the Fight against Fascism" memorial, Putin took his audience down memory lane to a time when Georgians and Russians had a common enemy.


“We are ready to engage in dialogue with every constructive political force in Georgia,” declared Putin after ragging on Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili for allegedly trying to erase positive Georgians' positive recollections of Russia. Saakashvili, falling into the "non-constructive" category, was not invited to Moscow for the 65th anniversary of the Nazi defeat.


Two of the “constructive” politicians on hand in Moscow were ex-Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze and ex-Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli. The two, neither of whom boast poll ratings to rank in the A-league of Georgian politicians, told domestic audiences that Putin wants peace.

The establishment of direct contacts between Georgians and Abkhaz and South Ossetians could prove the test for any peaceful feelings. Noghaideli last week called for discussion to focus on "the return of people, nations," rather than "the return of territories," while Burjanadze today told the BBC that she hopes that "Russia will not hinder" such contacts.

Tbilisi mayoral candidate Zviad Dzidziguri has a gun and is not afraid to use it. The Conservative Party leader says he pulled out his gun and fired several shots into the air on May 6 to defend himself from poster-bearing supporters of his rival, Mayor Gigi Ugulava of the ruling United National Movement.

Conservative Party loyalists and government supporters blame each other for starting the brawl. The Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation. “If such provocations repeat themselves, I will do the same,” Dzidziguri declared.

Mayor Ugulava described the incident as an attack on the United National Movement and called on all political groups competing for Georgia's key municipal office to exercise restraint during the campaign season.

But after a May 6 smash-up between protesters and police, popular fears persist that the campaign may descend into bare-knuckle confrontation.

What room, if any, will be given to ideas may be determined this weekend during televised candidate debates on Georgian Public Broadcasting co-financed by USAID. Aside from Ugulava and Dzidziguri, the debates will feature Alliance for Georgia leader Irakli Alasania, ex-energy boss Giorgi Chanturia for the Christian-Democratic Movement, and beer magnate Gogi Topadze of the Industrialists Party.

Needless to say, no guns allowed.