Georgia’s provinces are being targeted by the united opposition as the informal campaign begins for the country’s presidency.
Levan Gachechiladze is considered to be the current president's main rival. In an interview with the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Gachechiladze outlined his plans for Georgia. He promised to eliminate the presidency in the country and continue existing foreign policy. Gachechiladze stressed that relations with Russia largely depend on Moscow's willingness to treat Georgia as an equal partner and recognize its territorial integrity. Media still gagged? Meanwhile staff at the radio station Imedi have been prevented from entering the company's building. The journalists were planning to resume broadcasting on Monday for the first time after a state of emergency, that banned all media except for state TV, was lifted. The company's head says the police did not provide any documents showing that Imedi radio station was banned from broadcasting. The radio station is not linked to Imedi TV. Parliament to approve government On Monday the candidacies of the new Prime Minister and his Cabinet members are expected to be submitted to the Parliament. Gurgenidze may well bring several new faces to the Government. President Mikhail Saakashvili specifically requested this Cabinet be approved as soon as possible. The moves come just days before current President Mikhail Saakashvili steps down ahead of the early election scheduled for January 5.