“Russia responds to Tbilisi’s decision not to invite Russian observers to monitor elections”

Vladimir Churov, chairman of the Russian Central Elections Commission (CEC), has spoken out about Tbilisi’s decision not to invite Russian observers to monitor the snap presidential election on January 5, according to Akhali Taoba.

He said Russia had also decided not to invite Georgian observers to the Russian State Duma elections on December 2. “The reason for that decision was not disagreement between Georgian and Russian CECs: rather, we didn’t want to overload the Georgian CEC with work, as the country is preparing for its own elections,” Churov explained, adding that relations between the two CECs were normal.

“There are never problems between professionals. As for politicians, if they have a dispute with one another, that’s for them to settle,” he added.



“Davit Bakradze appointed Saakashvili’s spokesman”

Sakartvelos Respublika reports that Davit Bakradze, State Minister for Conflict Resolution, has been appointed spokesman for former president Mikheil Saakashvili’s campaign bid.

At a December 5 briefing, Bakradze said the president’s office was ready to field questions 24 hours a day. The opposition was attempting to accuse the government—quite without foundation—of hindering them from running their election campaign, he said.

“All such statements do is discredit the elections. If they’re defeated at the elections, the opposition will say the elections were undemocratic and unfair. Anyone observing the election campaign can see that all the presidential hopefuls have equal opportunity to conduct their campaign and promote themselves. They are free to hold meetings with whoever they choose, including diplomats,” Bakradze explained.

The minister added that the only presidential runner to have encountered difficulties on the campaign trail was ruling party contender Mikheil Saakashvili.

“During his [Saakashvili’s] meetings with people in various regions of Georgia, he’s come across certain elements who are intent on causing disruption,” Bakradze said.



“Mikheil Saakashvili meets Samegrelo residents”

The newspaper Rezonansi carries further coverage of presidential hopeful Mikheil Saakashvili’s campaign. On December 5, he visited the Martvili region in the western part of Georgia, and promised locals that if he succeeded in being re-elected, he would solve the unemployment problem.

“If I win the election, I promise to provide new tractors and to send high-flying students abroad to broaden their knowledge,” Saakashvili told his audience.

After his speech, he toured the newly renovated Eparchy at Chkondidi, attending a service in the church.

Saakashvili then went on to Poti, another town in the west of the country.



“Imedi TV supporters hold rally outside parliament”

The newspaper Akhali Taoba reports that the youth wing of the united opposition coalition held a peace rally in front of parliament on December 5 in support of Imedi TV.

They thanked all those who had supported the channel in the past month, and said it was because of such solid support and to the great credit of Imedi TV staff that the channel would be on air again soon.

Later, Imedi TV journalists joined the action.

Imedi TV was shut down on November 7 after a government crackdown on protestors outside parliament. The channel was accused of advocating the overthrow of the government, and its broadcast license was suspended for three months.

On December 3, acting president Nino Burjanadze said the channel was free to resume broadcasting so as to ensure democratic conditions and media freedom in the run-up to the elections.



“Members of opposition coalition leave for London”

The newspaper Sakartvelos Respublika reports that members of the united opposition coalition left for the UK on December 5. Whilst in London, they will hold talks with British MPs and a member of the House of Lords.

Zviad Dzidziguri, a Georgian Conservative MP, will be meeting representatives of the British Conservative Party, while Republican Party MP Davit Usupashvili will hold talks with the Liberal Democrats and Bruce George, a member of the House of Lords.

“We’ll also be meeting the Georgian Diaspora in London, and the Georgian business tycoon and presidential runner Badri Patarkatsishvili. One of the issues we’ll be raising with him is how we can change the current administration together,” Dzidziguri said before he left for the UK.

Davit Usupashvili told journalists he was convinced the opposition candidate Levan Gachechiladze would win the presidential election.