New Public Movement Demands Snap Elections in Adjara

New public movement Democratic Adjara led by one of the members of the United Democrats Edward Surmanidze was set up.

The new movement leaders say they aim at pushing the leadership of the Adjara Autonomous Republic to carry out democratic reforms. The first congress of the movement is held in Tbilisi on January 27.

The members of Democratic Adjara demand holding of snap elections of the Adjarian legislative body – the Supreme Council, which is now under the control of Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze.

There are speculations in the Georgia media that Edward Surmanidze of United Democrats, party led by State Minister Zurab Zhvania, seeks for replacing Aslan Abashidze on the post of the head of Adjara Autonomous Republic.

Surmanidze became MP in 1999 through the list of Abashidze’s Democratic Revival party. Later he left Abashidze’s party and became the member of the Citizens’ Union, which was led by ex-President Shevardnadze.

The office of Democratic Adjara is also planned to be opened in Adjarian capital Batumi.