Vakhtang Khmaladze: “The prospects open for many parties in Georgia now”

The chairman of parliament committee of Georgia on legal issues Vakhtang Khmaladze received national popularity, having acted as Mikheil Saakashvili’s basic opponent concerning amending the constitution of Georgia. At our request he commented on results of elections in regional and city councils, and also the first in the history of Georgia direct elections of heads of regional administrations.

— Did the last elections in Georgia have any features?

- Elections in the local authorities which have taken place on June 15 differed from former elections as the law on local government was changed. It completely will take effect after official results of elections will be published. The main thing is that according to this law the powers of local government considerably extend. Still I want to note that it were the first direct elections of heads of local governments. Thus, about 60 first persons were elected.

- Were the candidates proposed by political parties?

- The right to propose candidates in sakrebulo — the local authorities — had both political parties and blocs and initiative groups of citizens. And here only the political parties and electoral blocs had the right to propose candidates for a post of the head of municipal self-government. To be the elected head, it was necessary to receive more than a half of the votes participating in vote. For this reason in 12 constituencies (that makes about 20% of total number) the second round was appointed.

— Classical option: ruling party — opposition?

- Really, in these districts one of candidates surely represents the ruling coalition «Georgian Dream» and another — opposition. But the opposition is presented not only by «National movement»: Saakashvili’s supporters have 6 candidates in this case, and 6 more candidates represent other political forces. By the way, practically in all representative districts following the results of elections the representatives of «Georgian Dream» have most of all places. Probably, it won’t have the majority only in two representative bodies of areas.

In total the representation in bodies of municipal self-government was received by 6 political associations, some of which represent associations of various political parties.

-— Did these political parties already designate the choice? Will they support «Georgian Dream» or «National movement» or will try to keep an independent role?

- On elections they positioned themselves as opposition and the present power and the last power. It would be the lie to tell now that they will support «Georgian Dream». They criticized it too. I don’t think that after elections they will appear near «"Georgian Dream». It would be wrong to draw such conclusion.

— Mikheil Saakashvili already managed to declare that these elections were successful for his party, and further it will return again to the power …

- As they want… What to comment here — results after all are known for everyone! If attentively to look at results of elections, you will see that opposition parties which don’t support Saakashvili, gathered voices more together, than «National movement».

- Is it possible to consider the last local elections in Georgia from a position of traditional opposition of Ivanishvili — Saakashvili?

- Political life doesn’t stand on a place, it changes all the time. For example, in the mid-nineties three-four parties were able to break a barrier on elections, and at the last parliamentary elections only two parties could do that.

But what do we see today? At once six associations could break a barrier! I consider that it is a quantum leap. And parties which could break a barrier, have the right for public financing according to the law. It wasn’t earlier. I think that now the prospects open for many parties in Georgia for serious development.