While officials claim “a tragic accident” was the reason for Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania's unexpected death, more questions and doubts have recently emerged in the Georgian press regarding the circumstances behind Zhvania’s death. The Georgian press also continues to speculate over the possible candidates for the Prime Minister’s position, while some unofficial reports say that the authorities might even propose constitutional changes which will either reduce the PM’s powers or abolish this post all together.

A Tragic Incident?

In an article titles "Results of Official Forensic Examination Fail to Disavow Doubts," the Georgian daily 24 Hours writes: “Georgian law enforcers have not once even mentioned that, along with the version of a tragic accident, they also are probing other possible versions as well. This kind of stance is a huge mistake.”

The paper says that when politicians of great importance and influence, like Zurab Zhvania, become victims of a tragic accident, this naturally triggers suspicion among the society.

“The second person in the government, a figure with extremely large political influence, died in an apartment, which was rented only a few months ago before the accident… He died late after midnight, together with an ordinary official from the State Chancellery – 25 year old Raul Usupov, who is being identified by officials as the Prime Minister’s friend; however, unlike Zhvania’s other friends, the society knew nothing about this person. Moreover, before the accident the Georgian Prime Minister was left without his personal security guard,” 24 Hours says.

The paper states that according to unofficial information, Zurab Zhvania’s bodyguard was not even waiting for him outside the apartment, as was officially reported.

“In an attempt to disavow doubts, law enforcers showed a short video tape shot at the place where the accident took place to a small group of journalists. The tape was surely edited, triggering an even greater sense that it was made in an attempt to hide something,” read 24 Hours.

The Georgian daily Rezonansi (Resonance) also emphasizes that officials started putting forward only one version from the very begginning – a tragic accident. Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili was the first official to announce the accident early on February 3.

“This is very strange. It is quite possible that Zhvania really could have died by carbon monoxide poisoning, but was it really a tragic accident?” the paper reads.

The Rezonansi quotes independent forensic expert Maia Nikolaishvili as saying, “Vano Merabishvili’s statement that it was just an accident was an irresponsible announcement. Of course, it might be an accident, but it also could have been an imitation of an accident. Why do we tell investigators which path they should follow?”

Speculation over New PM

There are several names which are being circulated in the Georgian media as candidates for the Prime Minister’s position. According to 24 Hours, one faction of politicians suggests that State Minister Kakha Bendukidze, Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili and Chief of the President’s Administration Irakli Chubinishvili are the most probable candidates, while others think that Chairman of the Supreme Court Kote Kemularia or Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze might take over the Prime Minister’s position.

“A source close to the governmental circles told 24 Hours that it is most likely that either Kemularia or Burjanadze will be nominated as the new Prime Minister.”

The daily Akhali Taoba (New Generation) and Rezonansi also reported that the President might even propose constitutional changes in an attempt to reduce the Prime Minister’s powers.