Mystery of Burjanadze-Democrats’ economic renewal

SOPHICO SICHINAVA

Given the situation in the country, today political parties refrain from saying something realistic about economy.

The bloc Burjanadze-Democrats published draft of principles that cannot be yet called a programme. It is a certain strategy, vision or something that a political union has agreed on. Professor Lado Papava, one of the leaders of Burjanadze-Democrats, speaks to us on this issue:
– Mr. Lado, what are the main directions and idea of the principles?
– At first, everything began like this. Ms. Nino Burjanadze got in touch with me. She knew about my speeches, publications. It was compatible for her. For me visit to Ms. Nino was compatible because she was Parliament chairman. She often made speech both from Parliament tribunes and outside the tribunes. Thus, it was acceptable to me to follow her. We agreed on certain principles and then a question was raised on the preparation of programme document. I evaded writing the problem on purpose because of the simple reason that today there is no deficit in programme writing. The main thing is that pre-election project should be real. Thus, we called the document prepared by us strategic, it is strategic vision of Burjanadze-Democrats, i.e. if they stay in the Parliament, they will come to the executive power (which is less possible). Today, everyone promises that enterprises will start work and something will be done in half a year or in some other time. We have not written anything like that on purpose. I was minister for six years. Ms. Nino is deputy of the second Parliament and we understand well that no matter how many of us will come to the Parliament, we will not receive 118-vote majority. Therefore, influence of Burjanadze-Democrats on the government is not one-sided. When we raise the question of minister cabinet in the country, it is a matter of principle to us. If the proposal is passed, it will not be enforced before presidential elections as constitution has its own mechanisms. If you are realistic, you should not write anything that you are unable to do.
– Thus, we do not offer electors a programme, but rather tell them about our direction of work in case we won elections. Our aim is not problem of minimal salaries, but rather average salary. Average salary implies that the non-taxed minimum should be lower than the subsistence level in the country. The same concerns pensions. Though I do not say that this can be achieved in two or three years. I only say that we can do this and that we will work in this direction, and the time factor will be positively dependent on political resources of Burjanadze-Democrats.
– Do you believe that you and Burjanadze-Democrats will form a group that will turn principles and directions into a programme?
– I have not been a follower of any parties and I am not a member of any party. I started to work with Nino Burjanadze and I trust her, her opinions and personal qualities. It seemed acceptable to me when she said she was ready to co-operate with oppositional party. Today, Burjanadze-Democrats are a single group, one pre-election bloc. However, democrats are democrats, traditionalists are traditionalists and Burjanadze’s group is Burjanadze’s group. It can turn into a party once. I am with Ms. Nino in this case. I believe that she has the personal and political qualities necessary for achieving the necessary purpose.
Ten principles of Burjanadze-Democrats strategic views:
1) Strengthening and inviolability of private property institution;
2) Promotion of favourable conditions for the development of enterprise;
3) Creation of democratic institutions of national administration and self-government;
4) Deepening of international economic integration processes;
5) Economic security;
6) Social security;
7) Creation of energy security system;
8) Performance of anti-corruption measures;
9) Perfection of report discipline;
10) Reforms in the sphere of education, science, culture and sport.