In an apparent attempt to downplay Parliamentary Speaker Nino Burjanadze’s criticism of the executive authorities, lawmakers from the ruling National Movement party said the issue hadn’t even been raised during their meeting with President Saakashvili on September 5.
President Saakashvili, who made a televised address after the meeting, also ignored the issue and only spoke about the reshuffled cabinet’s programme.
“This issue wasn’t discussed at all,” Giga Bokeria, an influential lawmaker from the ruling party, said after the meeting. “We discussed much more important issues, including foreign policy… and the pre-election campaign.”
Bokeria also said that he believed Burjanadze’s remarks had received “a disproportionate response.” He also firmly rejected suggestions of “a political split” within the ruling majority in Parliament.
“She really has a different opinion about Alexishvili’s nomination and I have a different opinion about this issue,” Bokeria said, suggesting that he favors Alexishvili’s nomination. “But there is no need to dramatize the situation.”
He said that Burjanadze supported the new cabinet and “you will see this support in two days when Parliament discusses the reshuffled cabinet.”
Bokeria pointed out that Alexishvili had been nominated for the Board of the central bank and consultations would continue to push through his endorsement as chief of the central bank. A nominee for this position must first become a Board member.
Bokeria’s remarks about Alexishvili’s nomination suggest a determination to push ahead with the nomination of the ex-finance minister despite Burjanadze’s opposition. She on the other hand, according to media speculation, wants to see her close ally, MP Irakli Kovzanadze, the chairman of the parliamentary committee for budgetary and financial issues, get the job. Alexishvili is PM Zurab Nogaideli’s preferred candidate.
Meanwhile, President Saakashvili said in a live televised address late on September 5 that the reshuffled cabinet enjoyed “the overwhelming backing of the ruling majority in the parliament.”
Throughout the president’s speech, PM Nogaideli stood beside Saakashvili.
The president praised the new cabinet’s programme as result-oriented, aimed at strengthening the country, consolidating gains in the judicial, defense and law enforcement spheres, guaranteeing energy security, and ensuring equal opportunities and healthcare for everyone.
“Our ambition is to have 13-15% economic growth,” Saakashvili said. “Our fast growing economy has created a unique Georgian phenomenon based on our fight against corruption and on unity between Parliament and the Executive.”
The reshuffled cabinet’s new programme was also slammed by Burjanadze in her September 4 remarks as “mostly a list of intentions and declarations.” Burjanadze has not, however, commented publicly since meeting with the president.