Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TBILISI751
2008-05-05 14:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:
PARTIES FOCUS ON MAJORITARIAN RACES IN GEORGIA'S
how-toVZCZCXRO5523 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBW RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSI #0751/01 1261451 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051451Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9400 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TBILISI 000751
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/RPM, AND DRL
SIPDIS
E.O 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM PINR GG
SUBJECT: PARTIES FOCUS ON MAJORITARIAN RACES IN GEORGIA'S
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TBILISI 000751
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC, EUR/RPM, AND DRL
SIPDIS
E.O 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM PINR GG
SUBJECT: PARTIES FOCUS ON MAJORITARIAN RACES IN GEORGIA'S
PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION
¶1. Summary: On April 28, the Central Election Commission (CEC)
approved the lists of candidates for the May 21 parliamentary
elections that were submitted by political parties on April 21.
Most of the party leaders, except Republicans, are both leading the
party lists and running as majoritarian candidates. The top ten
party list and majoritarians candidates from each leading party are
included in this cable. Both the ruling party and opposition are
emphasizing their majoritarian candidates over the party lists.
Earlier opposition calls to cooperate in majoritarian districts --
and not run against each other -- appear to have failed, as many
parties are running some of their strongest candidates in the same
districts. End summary.
¶2. On April 28 the CEC registered party and majoritarian lists of
candidates for the May 21 elections. A main feature of the current
election campaign is that most of the parties are running their
strong candidates, including party leaders, both in the party lists
and as majoritarian candidates. This is a significant change from
previous elections. Currently, most of the party leaders are
running as majoritarian candidates, and on the party lists.
Exceptions include Republican David Usupashvili and National
Movement candidate David Bakradze, both leading their party lists.
Parties are banking on this new strategy to increase their chances
of bringing in more candidates from the party lists. If a
majoritarian candidate wins the district, the next person on the
party list will take his/her place. Thus, strong and well known
candidates winning the districts vacate slots in the party lists for
other party members.
¶3. Several United National Movement (UNM) candidates held offices
in the executive branch. They have resigned, but titles are
included for clarity. The UNM's top ten party list candidates, in
order, are:
- Davit Bakradze, former Foreign Minister;
- Koba Subeliani, former Minister for Refugees and Accommodation;
- Gia Roinishvili, an actor;
- Zaza Gamtsemlidze, former Minister of Environment;
- Nugzar Tsiklauri, a publisher;
- Khatuna Ochiauri, former member of the Tbilisi City Council
(Sakrebulo);
- Davit Darchiashvili, executive director of the Open Society
Georgia Foundation (OSGF);
- Mikheil Machavariani, the vice-speaker of the Parliament