Meeting of Presidential Candidates in Lanchkhuti

Nino Mshvidobadze, Guria

Several days ago, presidential candidate from the Labor Party Shalva Natelashvili visited Lanchkhuti district.

After his half-an-hour speech, Natelashvili talked with local residents; everybody was attentively listening to him. Natelashvili addressed to people gathered in the city center:

“Let Ivanishvili stay in his Chorvila. Now he will finish his cohabitation-friendship [with UNM] and run to France. But I will stay here! Everybody [presidential candidates], except me, has personal interests and nobody cares about Georgia,” Natelashvili said.

Another presidential candidate from the political movement Burdjanadze – Democratic Movement Nino Burjanadze visited Lanchkhuti district.

Initially she met electorate in Atsana village where about 150 people gathered despite of rain. People said they support Nino Burjanadze because she is experienced politician and will properly rule the country.

“Margvelashvili is not a bad person but Nino is better. She is very clever lady. Almost everybody from this village supports her. I am sure Burjanadze will win elections in Atsana village,” the locals said.

Nino Burjanadze thanked to Lanchkhuti district residents for meeting her despite bad weather. 

One local person asked Burjanadze which country she would visit in case of victory; the candidate initially replied to her in joke and said – you have asked me a question like a provocative journalist and then replied seriously: “Supposedly, I will first go to Russia.” People liked her answer. 

“Apparently, I have to really go there since you are happy with my answer. I am not afraid to be called pro-Russian candidate. I see that it is necessary to be close to Russia for better future of my country,” Burjanadze said.

After Atsana village Burjanadze met people in Lanchkhuti Culture Center:

“Candidate from the ruling party said cohabitation will finish on October 27; but why did they start it? I think the best scenario is – Nino Burjanadze – President and Bidzina Ivanishvili – Prime Minister,” Burjanadze said. 

At the end of the meeting, Burjanadze made comments for journalists too.

“I expected Guria region population to meet me so warmly. I want to thank everybody, who supports me.”

Humanrights.ge asked her to comment on the people who joined her political party after leaving Georgian Dream. 

“It is absolutely natural process and I am surprised why the Georgian Dream calls it smear campaign. After Ivanishvili appeared on Georgian politics, we sent our party members to join his coalition and declared hundred-day memorandum for the purpose. Why are they surprised now that people are joining our party? It is not true either that only two persons have joined us from GD; many people move to our party every day,” Nino Burjanadze said.

Nino Burjanadze’s visit to Guria finished in Supsa village where former village governor Dodo Esartia attended the meeting. Esartia told humanrights.ge that she supports Burjanadze because she believes cohabitation with National Movement shall end.  

“People voted for Ivanishvili to say no to National Movement and nobody cares and likes this cohabitation that should be finished. So, I support Burjanadze,” Esartia said.