Ruling party Sec Gen says next President will be “patriotic, honest”, will not serve “interests of foreign country”

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Tuesday said the ruling party would soon nominate a presidential candidate who would be “patriotic, honest, and will not serve the interests of a foreign country”.

Speaking ahead of the anticipated approval by the Parliament of the presidential election next month, Kaladze noted the importance of a “healthy” opposition in the country.

We welcome the presence of healthy political forces. I love my homeland, I want it to develop, to progress, we are building a democratic, free, independent state. Of course, the existence of a strong opposition in the country is important. I welcome a strong, constructive opposition in the country, not a group of radicals, rootless people”, the ruling party official said.

Kaladze further noted  the future President would “focus on serving the country and its citizens’ interests, rather than foreign powers”.

“We will soon present our presidential candidate to the public. First and foremost, the future President must be a patriot, honest, and independent of external control. The President must not carry out orders from foreign representatives and must protect the interests of Georgia and the Georgian people”, he concluded.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday addressed the legislative body with a proposal to hold the presidential elections on December 14.