Georgian Dream begins campaigning for October 8 Parliamentary Elections

Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia (GDDG), has officially started campaigning for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, set for October 8, 2016.

The party’s chairman and current Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili travelled to Imereti region in Georgia’s west and introduced the region’s GDDG majoritarian candidates to locals last night.

The ceremony took place in Kutaisi, the region’s largest city and the third largest city in Georgia, which is home to the country’s Parliament.

Thousands came to listen to the PM's speech in Kutaisi. Photo by the PM's press office

In his lengthy speech PM Kvirikashvili highlighted some of the things the GDDG had achieved since coming into power in 2012.

"We have given people what matters the most – freedom. We have destroyed the fear which had suppressed our society for years. We have created the conditions for a peaceful life and created the feeling of stability,” Kvirikashvili said.

Photo by the PM's press office

Other top achievements he named were:

• The Hepatitis C Elimination Program;
• Governmental programs to support agriculture and farming;
• Allowing businesses, media, court and police to be free from political pressure;
• Ensuring property rights are protected.

Kvirikashvili said these achievements were significant and had been recognised by international organisations and partner countries.

Kvirikashvili also named several projects the GDDG wanted to implement in the future.

"During these past four years we have created strong foundations and today we can already offer our people something novel – the fast development of our country, which means improving the quality of life for each and every person,” Kvirikashvili said.

He then went on to speak about the four-point reform plan the Government had developed to stimulate the business sector, and continue supporting economic development.

Kvirikashvili said the reform agenda focused on one thing; to let people develop and grow their own businesses so they can lead a successful life. To achieve this, Kvirikashvili said the Government would fund new business ideas generated by Georgian citizens.

He also pledged to reform the education system so youth can get all the skills needed to allow them to fully realise their full potential and succeed in the 21st century.

The Government was also working on improving road infrastructure to connect all regions and villages across the country with each other, and this would facilitate trade and travel in different parts of the country.

Photo by the PM's press office

After speaking Kvirikashvili introduced 11 candidates who wished to be a Member of Parliament (MP) and represent Imereti in the country’s legislative body.

One of the candidates was Koba Narchemashvili, who was Georgia’s Interior Minister when the Rose Revolution took place in 2003. Kvirikashvili said Narchemashvili was "a clear example” of a person who made decisions that avoided conflict and protected public safety in critical situations, and made choices that favoured the country and its people.

With these comments he referred to the fact that during the Rose Revolution, police and military units refused to fight against the public and support a government that did not have public faith.

Photo by the PM's press office

The 11 GDDG candidates were:

1. Kutaisi #47 district – Genadi Martgvelashvili. He is a local school principal whose students typically win international physics and mathematics Olympiads every year.
2. Kutaisi #48 district – Dimitry Mkheidze. He is a Kutaisi-based doctor.
3. Kutaisi #49 district – Koba Narchemashvili. He has a Master’s in Law and Economics and was Georgia’s Interior Minister when the Rose Revolution took place in 2003.
4. Tskaltubo – Tsotne Zurabiani. He has a law degree and earned a Master’s degree from the University of Bremen in Germany. Currently he serves as head of office of relations with self-governments at Imereti Regional Administration.
5. Zestaponi – Shalva Kiknavelidze. He is a current Parliament Member and member of GD.
6. Terjola-Tkibuli – Elguja Gotsiridze. He is a doctor of medicine and the director of Tbilisi-based Chachava Clinic.
7. Sachkhere – Paata Kvizhinadze. He is a current MP and a veteran of the Samachablo and Abkhazia wars.
8. Vani-Khoni – Grigol Liluashvili. He is the current Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi and holds a Master’s degree in international economic relations. He has worked as chairman of the Supervisory Board at Cartu Bank and deputy head of international relations at Georgia’s Custom’s Department.
9. Chiatura – Sulkhan Makhatadze. He is the current Gamgebeli (governor) of Chiatura town.
10. Baghdati-Kharagauli – Koba Lursmanashvili. He is the current Gamgebeli (governor) of the Kharagauli Municipality.