Idea to hold Zurabishvili's inauguration in Telavi causes disputes

The inauguration of Salome Zurabishvili will be held on December 16 in the city of Telavi, in King Irakli-II's Palace. Most likely, the inauguration ceremony of the head of state will take place in the "Batonis-Tsikhe" Fortress (Lord's Fortress). In 1762-1782, the fortress and the palace located therein served as the residence of Kakhetian kings, and, according to historical data, were the residence of the last Georgian Tsar Irakli-II, the "News-Georgia" Agency reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 28, the second round of voting at the presidential election in Georgia was won by Salome Zurabishvili, an independent candidate, supported by the ruling "Georgian Dream" Party. Her rival, Grigol Vashadze, and the Alliance "Strength in Unity" that had nominated him, refused to recognize her victory and demanded to hold the early parliamentary elections.

According to Salome Zurabishvili herself, when choosing the venue for the inauguration ceremony, she was guided by two circumstances: the need to develop the region and the election outcomes.

"In Telavi, they didn't vote for me; it's one of the lost places. By this I want to show that I am the president of everyone, even those who didn't vote for me," Ms Zurabishvili said on air of the "Imedi" on December 5.

The idea to hold the ceremony in the region, in which Zurabishvili did not get the majority of votes, was not universally supported.

It would be better to establish contact with the population of Kakheti after taking office, Ramaz Sakvarelidze, a political analyst of the "Club of Independent Experts", is convinced.

The best place to hold the inauguration would be the city of Mtskheta, located a few kilometres to the north of Tbilisi, said Nukri Kantariya, a member of the parliamentary majority. "It would be better, since it is an ancient throne city, causing no prejudice to a certain place, while Telavi is the tsar's palace," he said.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 6, 2018 at 08:28 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.