Georgia denies rumors of Garibashvili as presidential candidate

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party has dismissed rumors that its chairman, former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, is being considered as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the Executive Secretary of the party, firmly refuted the claims, which were circulating following reports from the opposition TV channel Mtavari Archi, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media.

The channel had suggested that the ruling party was deliberating between Garibashvili and Konstantin Gamsakhurdia, the son of Georgia’s first president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, as potential presidential candidates.

Mdinaradze addressed the speculation during a press briefing, stating that while Garibashvili would make a capable president if chosen, the ruling party had already agreed on a different candidate. “He (Garibashvili) will be a good president if he becomes one, but he will not be one because the team has agreed on another [candidate],” Mdinaradze explained.

In addition, Mdinaradze categorically denied any discussions surrounding Konstantin Gamsakhurdia’s candidacy. "There is no talk of Koka Gamsakhurdia," he emphasized, further dismissing the rumors.

Georgian President Zourabichvili’s term will conclude at the end of 2024, and the new president will be elected by a panel of 300 members — 150 from the newly elected parliament and 150 regional delegates. To secure a victory in the first round, a candidate must obtain 200 votes; if no candidate achieves this, a second round will ensue, where the top two candidates will compete for the presidency based on a simple majority.

By Vafa Guliyeva