The leader of the Georgian Labour Party, Shalva Natelashvili, presented Giorgi Gugava today as his party’s candidate for Tbilisi mayor in the upcoming local self-government elections in October.
The Labour Party leader spoke that Gugava will do everything to solve problems for Tbilisi residents, and that electing Gugava is the only chance to stop the "ravage of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili,” Georgia’s former prime minister.
"If someone oppresses you, you do not need to do anything, Gugava will come himself. If the bank comes to evict you, Gugava will come. If a water pipe bursts, Gugava will come. If the road is damaged, Gugava will come. If you have any difficulties, Gugava will stand alongside you. Together with those who cannot stand the injustice, illegal actions, modern-day slavery, and who are ready to fight, we are ready to start the change in regime,” Natelashvili said when presenting the mayoral candidate.
After Gugava’s candidacy was presented today, the phrase“Gugava will come” in Georgian went viral on social media with jokes and videos.
Giorgi Gugava has been a member of the Georgian Labour Party since 1997. He was a member of Tbilisi City Assembly from 2006 to 2008
Other mayoral candidates for Tbilisi include former Minister of Energy Kakha Kaladze (Georgian Dream party); former MP Elene Khoshtaria (Movement for Liberty - European Georgia); former Rustavi 2 news anchor Zaal Udumashvili (UNM); and independent candidate Aleko Elisashvili.