Welcome to the July 4 Weekly Summary with Mark Mullen. This week Mark discusses the main topic of the week – Presidential elections, which will be held on 27th of October. Mark speaks about the candidates for the elections, including Shalva Natelashvili, Nino Burjanadze, Giorgi Margvelashvili. UNM will name its candidate after primaries. The candidates in the primary are: Davit Bakradze, Zurab Japaraidze, Shota Malashkhia and Gia Baramidze. Jondi Baghaturia offered Paata Burchuladze to participate in the elections. Giorgi Targamadze will name the candidate within two weeks.
Mark Mullen also speaks about Tbilisi city council chairman Koki Ionatamishvili, who made a statement that he is leaving UNM. Mark pays attention the fact that Gerard Depardieu visited Abkhazia from the Russian Federation.
Other topics of the week are: New social campaign by Ministry of Internal Affairs under the slogan ‘Don’t drive when drunk’; MP Koba Davitashvili’s initiative about restrictions on TV series and other TV programs; BBC’s article titled “Georgia's mighty Orthodox Church”; BBC about Georgian rappers; BBC about Batumi as Las Vegas and much more – So sit back and enjoy.

The original audio podcast version of this content can be found at TBLpod.com, recorded locally on Rustaveli Avenue. Each week Mark and his excellent team of researchers, experts and analysts put together a summary of what has happened in Georgia and why. Years of experience and contacts in this country help them provide a context for the news each week. Their discussions give a uniquely candid perspective, which is difficult to find anywhere else, even in Georgian, and which [we must note] is their personal opinion and not that of any organization or company they or we may work for or represent, including Palitra. For this reason Mark and his team have an audience from all over the world and, even more interestingly, a devoted audience of Georgian listeners interested in their outlook on current events. Thanks for tuning in. Please come back next week.

Related Stories:

Malashkhia, Bakradze, Baramidze, Japaridze - National Movement primary candidates

Davit Bakradze Wins First Primary

Paata Burchuladze’s plans about his possible presidency

Member of UNM leaves the party

"Don't Drink and Drive" - social campaign by Interior Ministry

Georgia's mighty Orthodox Church - BBC

Gerard Depardieu visited Abkhazia

“Rappers defining the new Georgia” - BBC reports from Georgia

‘Las Vegas of the Black Sea’ - BBC from Batumi wedding