23 May 2009, 22:00
In Georgia, opposition plans to elect a single leader
On May 26, the opposition in Georgia plans to name their united leader. Consultations to this end are underway, and, probably, in the next few days such leader will be named, as reported by the headquarters of the opposition.
"Identification of a single leader of the opposition is a recommendation of Georgia's western partners, who prefer to deal with a single leader of the opposition, same as they deal with President Saakashvili," David Zurabishvili, one of oppositional leaders, said to journalists.
The Board of the Opposition, which coordinates since April 9 the protest actions in Tbilisi and other cities of Georgia, now comprises, on the equal footing, 12 leaders of political parties and public organizations.
Today, the opposition of Georgia is dominated by four leaders - Levan Gachechiladze, Irakliy Alasaniya, Kakha Shartava and Nino Burdzhanadze. These leaders have real supporters; however, they have different vision on further ways of struggle against the incumbent authorities of Georgia. While Mr Alasaniya is ready to hold dialogue with President Saakashvili, Ms Burdzhanadze is categorically against it and insists on radical actions, as reported by the "Interfax" Agency.
The "Georgia Today" writes that in the opinion of some independent Georgian experts, the recommendation of western partners about a sole leader can become a "Grecian horse" amidst Georgian opposition, since accord on the issue will be rather difficult.
