Georgia prepares for first presidential debates
By Nazrin Gadimova
Presidential debates will be held in Georgia on the air on local TV channels on October 17-18.
The debates will bring together seven candidates for presidency - Giorgi Margvelashvili, Davit Bakradze, Koba Davitashvili, Sergo Javakhadze, Giorgi Targamadze, Zurab Kharatishvili and Teimuraz Mjavia, who will be allocated equal time to present their electoral program, as well as for discussions with other candidates.
Meanwhile, one of the presidential candidates, Former Speaker, Leader of Democratic Movement Nino Burjanadze said that the debate on TV is "provocation and performance."
"I am ready to debate with Margvelashvili on any channel at any time," she said. "What kind of democracy the ruling team is telling us about, when it refuses to debate with the main revival. I assure you that no one needs such democracy."
Moreover, Georgia's Central Election Commission has changed the rules of photo- and video shooting at polling stations on Election Day.
According to the CEC decision, cameramen and photographers will be able to freely visit the polling stations during the election process.
Earlier, Georgian non-governmental organizations, who believe that the existing rules prevent the free operation of the media, came out with the demand to change the rules of photo- and video shooting at polling stations.
Presidential elections in Georgia will be held in 10 days, on October 27.
It will be the sixth presidential election after Georgia regained independence from the former Soviet Union in 1991. Incumbent Mikheil Saakashvili cannot re-run because of the two-term limit in the constitution.
Upon the inauguration of a new president in 2013, a series of constitutional amendments passed in the parliament of Georgia from 2010 to 2013 will go into effect. The amendments envisage significant reduction of the President's powers in favor of the Prime Minister.