Saakashvili’s Former Opponent to Be Majoritarian Candidate of the National Movement in Lanckhuti

Nino Mshvidobadze, Guria

On August 22, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Davit Bakradze visited Lanchkuti district. Main purpose of his visit was to nominate majoritarian candidate of the United National Movement in Lanchkhuti.

The guests – Davit Bakradze, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Ramaz Nikolaishvili, Guria Region Governor Valeri Chitaishvili, Guria region vice-governor Lela Tavartkiladze, Lanchkhuti district governor Giorgi Goguadze and chairman of the municipal board Revaz Chitidze made voters to wait for them for one and half hour and then appeared.

Davit Bakradze shortly reviewed general situation in the country and said that “eight years ago Georgia was divided and the new country started movement alongside a new rail. Our slogan “More Benefit to People” is not just a slogan. Everything should be done in this way and we will do it. Victory of the UNM in the parliamentary elections will be victory of Georgia in general.”

At the end of this speech, Bakradze introduced the majoritarian candidate of the National Movement Giorgi Goguadze, who was Lanchkhuti district governor, and added. 

I hope, Gia will do more for Lanchkhuti [from the parliament]. I wish you will meet him with applause after his four-year membership of the parliament.”

“Lanchkhuti will always stay beside our country. These young people will always be where we want to be. Lanckhuti is our [town], Mr. Davit,” Goguadze said.

Giorgi Goguadze occupied the position of the Lanchkhuti district governor on April 3, 2008. As a result of self-governmental elections in 2010 the municipal board elected him to the same position second time.

One episode is very important from Giorgi Goguadze’s biography: in 2003, when oppositionist Mikheil Saakashvili visited Lanchkhuti together with his allies, he met local activists of the recently established National Movement in the club of tea-factory. Representatives of local media also attended the meeting.  Giorgi Goguadze sent drunken people to meet oppositionist Saakashvili. Witnesses allege Goguadze even physically assaulted Saakashvili claiming – how did you dare to visit the native region of Shevardnadze [previous president of Georgia]?

Despite that, Giorgi Goguadze is favorite person of the Minister Ramaz Nikolaishvili and he even became a majoritarian candidate of the UNM in the district.

Do people like the candidate of the UNM? I asked this question to several people who did not refrain from publishing their names.

Naira Kukuladze” Why should I like Goguadze? I had a farm and they seized it from me and assigned to somebody else. Now you cannot even enter there. I have all premises registered on my name; I hold all documents to prove that the farm was my property but it is useless. I will not vote for the National Movement and their candidate.”

Shota Pirtskhalaishvili: “No I do not like this candidate. First of all, he is innately communist. Then I do not like him because he is Kvarkvare [a character of a Georgian movie who can find common language with every government] – you should not stand beside the man, whom you kicked yesterday.”

Humanrights.ge got interested who will replace the district governor now. Deputy Governor Kakha Askurava said: “We have only one duty now- to win the October 1 Elections.”

Second deputy governor Nugzar Glonti said nothing is cleared up yet and everything will be settled at the next session of the municipal board.