Political Transfiguration of the Free Democrat’s single mandate candidate in Rustavi

Manon Bokuchava, Kvemo Kartli

Teimuraz Menapire, the single mandate candidate of the political party Irakli Alasania – Free Democrats in Rustavi DEC #30, left the party when there was no time to replace him with new candidate. 

“I decided to cancel my candidacy in favor of Giorgi Begadze, the single mandate candidate from the Georgian Dream and join the Rustavi Organization of the Georgian Dream”, - Menapire declared.  

Menapire mentioned he did not agree with the political direction of the Free Democrats and he believes the leader of the party reinforces the National Movement with this policy. However, before that, Menapire, when being asked why voters should support the Free Democrats, he answered the journalist from local TV that the Free Democrats is a team of competent people. 

“This party was always worked with grassroots and close to people. It is the team, whose members unanimously refused to be ministers and stayed together in order to fulfill the promises and obligations, which they took together with the coalition in 2012. It is the team, which is enthusiastic to create better economic conditions”, - Teimuraz Menapire declared. 

Menapire criticized the local self-government as well. He claimed, the local authority had created unequal election environment in Rustavi. As an example he mentioned the construction in the Kostava Street during the pre-election period in Rustavi. 

“If you go in the first half of the day alongside the Kostava Street, nobody works there. The company turned out to be dishonest payer, therefore, the workers almost do not work. The dragged out construction, obviously, will not help them to get votes”, - Teimuraz Menapire said. (source: factcheck.ge)

Teimuraz Menapire did not comment to media about his recent decision. The leader of the Free Democrats explained his decision with active role of the State Security Service. Alasania said they had information about alleged connection between Menapire and State Security Service, but the party gave him chance anyway. 

Rustavi is divided into two election districts -DEC #29 and DEC#30. On October 8 Elections Alasania team will have the single mandate candidate only in the Election District #29.