Kutaisi-2nd Georgian Capital

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

During pre-election campaign the Georgian president stated Kutaisi will be the second capital when he was visiting the city. He also made many other promises to local; he claimed that Kutaisi will gain back its old beauty; many institutions will be opened where a lot of people will be employed, etc. Mikheil Saakshvili, in order to make his promises more convincing, directly stated three center-based agencies will be transferred to Kutaisi, and that is just for the beginning.

Although buildings have not been selected for the Georgian Chamber of Control, Transport Department and Energy Regulation Commission in Kutaisi, the essential point is that a promise has been made.

Georgian president’s promise reminded Kutaisi residents of the glory of the past when presidential candidate Saakashvili had convinced locals that the Constitutional Court would be relocated to Kutaisi. However, he has not keep his promise, and some may question as if he has any intentions of following up with all the claims made.

“The same will happen now too and we do not expect him to keep his promises. The authority is eager to win elections and they are capable of promising potential voters just about anything. People are wise and they can see the actual situation. We know who gives and keep promises,” explained Kutaisi residents.

Evidently, the speech had a great impact on the electorate during pre-election period. But the most important point is post-election evaluation of the situation by the people. They have not seen the day of light in a “second capital” one fine morning.

 Lali Sanikidze, thirty-four-year-old teacher: “It is nice when somebody remembers your city but when you mix up truth and with lies then nothing you say can be believed. It would be really nice to live in a “second capital” but that is not enough on its own. The city should not receive only status with such a designation but something should be done for the people to have jobs that are real.  Even though those agencies move to Kutaisi, new vacancies will not create because the same personnel will come from Tbilisi and they will not be new jobs.”

Madona Gabunia, thirty-eight-year-old lawyer: “The screen installed in the city center informs us that Kutaisi is a second capital. He same screen demonstrates some drawings, buildings that are a bit strange for me. In fact, walking along Kutaisi streets we should be careful not to drop into a hole or a sewage wells. As for above-mentioned state agencies, if they plan to move them here to make our city more active, it is less expected. Those agencies cannot make important decisions. I think it will be unreasonable changes and nothing more.”

Temur Kilasonia, seventy-six-year-old retired person: “Do you see that prices have risen on almost everything. Now we cannot buy anything in the market. Why is it happening? Much of the problem is because the budget is empty. A lot of money was spent on elections and they have to reimburse the expenses. At the end of June transportation fee on public transport will rise too; they are make us to adopt a wretched life, and it get worst with each passing day. 

Giorgi Labadze, fifty-one-year-old teacher: “Mikheil Saakashvili made such promises because of his low rating. You know that his rating was and is actually very low. His statement about Kutaisi was kind a medicine for locals. In fact he was actually laughing at us. People just smile upon his words, and they are empty and mean nothing.”

Ana Lezhava, fifty-eight-year-old pharmacist: “They claimed Constitutional Court will be moved to Kutaisi too but it has not happened yet. They moved it to Batumi though Kutaisi is the center of Western Georgia. They were just playing with nice words and nothing more, and as for repairing roads and building fountains, it is profitable job for governmental officials; they can make some very serious money from these fountains of debt.”

Nanuli Abashidze, thirty-six-year-old homemaker: “I do not take any of those promises serious; it was just another unserious step taken by our president.”

Nana Chapidze, twenty-six-year-old lawyer: “Road Department and Energy Regulation Commission are worthless agencies as they don’t function. As for Georgian Chamber of Control, that controls financial activities of state agencies, it will be most useful the government if it would moves to Kutaisi. When the ruling party spends the budget as it wants, it is very logical to send the control agency to the village. As for Kutaisi, people here earn their living from trading and they do not need to be controlled whatsoever.”