The ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party named on September 1 its majoritarian candidates in Tbilisi, who will be running for the Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo) membership during the October 21 municipal elections.
 
Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili presented 25 candidates during an outdoor meeting in Tbilisi’s Botanical Garden.
 
“We have very important elections ahead,” PM Kvirikashvili addressed supporters. “On October 21, our people will have to elect their representatives to local self-government bodies… I am sure that our people will again make a correct choice and decision in favor of the Georgian Dream, their better future.”
 
Emphasizing on “the high reputation, professionalism and honesty” of GD candidates, the Prime Minister noted that the ruling party’s majoritarian candidates would have to clear a 50% threshold to gain “high legitimation.”
 
Later Georgian Parliamentary Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze clarified Kvirikashvili’s remarks, saying that although election legislation does not set a threshold for majoritarian candidates running for the Sakrebulo, the Georgian Dream deems it important for its candidates to achieve victory through clearing a 50% threshold.   
 
According to the election code, the 50-member Tbilisi Sakrebulo is elected through mixed system; one half of its members are elected through proportional system and the other half – through elections in single-seat constituencies. Out of 25 candidates, 11 are incumbent members of the Sakrebulo.
 
The ruling party has already nominated Kakha Kaladze, former Energy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, as its mayoral candidate in Tbilisi. Kaladze’s campaign headquarters was opened in downtown Tbilisi on August 26 and Archil Talakvadze, the leader of the parliamentary majority, was appointed as the campaign chief.