Georgia's presidential elections are set to take place on October 27th, 2013, and three main candidates have emerged as frontrunners. Giorgi Margvelashvili, David Bakradze, and Nino Burjanadze, each with their own political backgrounds and experiences, are the main contenders for the presidency.
As a foreigner living in Georgia, it can be difficult to keep up with the intricacies of Georgian politics, but it's important to have a basic understanding of the candidates and the role of the president in Georgian politics.
Giorgi Margvelashvili, the first candidate, is a philosopher by education and a former rector of the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. He was named as the presidential candidate for the Georgian Dream coalition on May 11, 2013. Margvelashvili is not a member of any political party and has a background in education and philosophy.
David Bakradze, the second candidate, is a Georgian politician and diplomat who served as the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia from 2008 to 2012. Bakradze has held a number of positions in the past, including Minister for Conflict Issues, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the President of Georgia's special envoy to NATO and the European Union. Bakradze is a member of the United National Movement, the party of current President Mikheil Saakashvili.
The third and final candidate, Nino Burjanadze, is a Georgian politician and lawyer who served as Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia from 2001 to 2008. She has twice served as the acting head of state of Georgia and withdrew into opposition to Saakashvili as the leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party in 2008. In June 2013, she announced her intention to run for president in the October 2013 election.
It can be difficult for foreigners in Georgia to keep up with the intricacies of Georgian politics, especially since the role of the president in Georgia has become somewhat symbolic since the last parliamentary elections. However, despite the symbolic nature of the presidency, it is still an important office in the country, and the outcome of the election could have a significant impact on the political landscape of Georgia.
Based on the information available, it is difficult to predict who will win the presidential elections in Georgia, but it is possible that the winner could be Giorgi Margvelashvili, due to his affiliation with the ruling Georgian Dream party. However, it is also possible that Nino Burjanadze, who has been more prominent in Georgian politics, could win the election.
It is important for foreigners living in Georgia to stay informed about the political climate in the country, as it can have a direct impact on their daily lives. Whether or not one should pay more attention to Georgian politics depends on the individual's own interests and needs, but it is advisable to have a basic understanding of the political landscape in the country.