"Bidzina Ivanishvili is indeed the political messiah, though he would like everybody else not thinking about him this way," claims Jan Cingel, SAC Project Manager. "However, the political culture in modern history of Georgia is based on political messiahs into whom Georgian people devoted huge expectations. Bidzina was perceived as messiah by the opposition, which was divided and weak back in 2011. His entry into politics from the shadow of his futuristic gigantic villa on the hill overlooking the Old Tbilisi, was met with huge expectations again. Only thanks to his influence and money, through which he bought himself invincibility from the previous regime, he was able to lead the opposition to the victory in parliamentary elections in October 2012. The government under the United National Movement has had virtually grab on all aspects of political life in Georgia including extensive control of financial resources. The only possibility was, that somebody even richer than the state, could defeat politically the previous government. Bidzina with personal wealth, way higher than is the state budget of Georgia, had necessary means to achieve that. There is a question though, whether the government coalition he formed, will survive after his declared withdrawal from power. Ivanishvili is not a true politician, he said it himself and he often acted accordingly. My assessment is, that he has quite enough of the politics and when he said, he is stepping down, he will do it without hidden agenda of influencing the Georgian politics from behind the scene. But then again, what will keep him back from not stepping down from his villa, using his huge personal fortune to change the political balance in the country again? And that I find quite messianic too. Only a change in the public support can stop him from doing that." What do you think? For more check the Eastern Approaches blog in The Economist.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 15:13:35 +0000
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