“Today the Same People Ask Us to Vote Whom We Elected Yesterday and Received Terrible Results”
May 25, 2010
Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi
Several days are left before the municipal elections. Consequently, the political parties get more active. On May 30, Georgian population will elect local authority. Before that, the wave of promises will cover the country once more. The candidates of the local government will be closer to people now and listen to their needs.
The improved living conditions: employment, free medical service, low communal taxes, etc – it is the list of the promises the representatives of the political parties give to the voters in regions like in the capital.
The Human Rights Center interviewed the residents of Kutaisi to find out the pre-election expectations in the society and their opinions about the municipal elections and promises of the candidates.
Lali Areshidze, teacher: “Generally, the pre-election period is the happy time when the government (and others too) remember people. They do their best to gain the hearts of the voters. As for us, we are tired of endless promises about glorious and sunny future. I am tired of it but anyway, I am going to take part in the elections. It is my obligation.”
Gocha Giorkhelidze, engineer: “Much is not left to be done; but everything shall be changed and done again. Everything what has been done in this country since Rose Revolution has low quality and shall be repaired. The roads need reconstruction in several months; they boast with medical reforms and people die because of no access to medical assistance. They are speaking about employment and the number of unemployed people increases drastically … I will not continue. You also know everything better than I do. Today, the same people come and ask our votes whom we elected yesterday and received terrible results.”
Marina Nikoladze, housewife: “I am fed up with their promises. The government is extremely shameless. However, the worst thing is that there is nobody normal who can replace them in this country. Do not we deserve better government?”
Nana Chachava, shop-assistant: “If they kept at least part of their promises, we would have perfect life. But unfortunately it does not happen and I already know it. The previous years and so many elections taught us good lesson because the reality has not been changed for many years already. One party promises water for free; second promises employment; the third promises abolishment of taxes and a person should be a stupid not to guess what they will really do. I will take part in the elections for sure but I do not know whom I will vote for. Maybe I will cross everybody.”
Tengiz Shvangiradze, engineer: “These promises are as real as the opening of the car-factory in Kutaisi and employment of people which was reported on TV several months ago. Do you remember the smiley face of the president and his statement that the unemployment is gradually reducing in Georgia and more precisely in Kutaisi? Thousands of people standing in the queue in front of the car-factory soon understood that their government had deceived them once more. Similar lies are awaiting us in future too. We somehow cope with this situation because there is no other way.”
Neli Chichinadze, retired person: “The same has been happening for several years already – we go to the elections, vote for our favorite candidate/party and unfortunately completely different party/candidate wins the elections. It will happen this time too. Despite all that, we should go. At least, the government will see that the people are not crowd and can make a choice.”
Giorgi Shvangiradze, student: “They give serious promises but the question is whether they will keep them after the elections. Since they promise, that means they should do it (of course I am joking)… I should not be lazy to go to the elections, that is important and then I will somehow make my choice.”
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