Constitutional monarchy as a panacea for Georgia

Many opposition politicians in Georgia hope that in about 15-20 years time, the country will finally be able to return to the traditional form of rule which proved itself to be successful for centuries - a constitutional monarchy. The wedding between representatives of two branches of the Bagrationi royal dynasty, which took place last Sunday on 8 February in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, has given them grounds for these hopes.

The descendants of the royal dynasty David Bagrationi-Mukhraneli and Anna Bagrationi-Gruzinskaya were congratulated by the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, who is undergoing treatment in Germany and, because of his illness, could not personally marry them.

The Conservative party of Georgia also sent its congratulations to the Bagrationi offspring, wishing them "many children, peace and God's protection for the good of Georgia".

The Conservatives hope that the wedding of the two descendants of the Bagrationi dynasty will be the first step towards the fulfilment of Ilia II's initiative - the restoration of historical justice in Georgia, meaning a return to a constitutional monarchy.

Representatives of the opposition movement "Popular Forum" are also holding out similar hopes. One of its leaders Gubaz Sanikidze thinks that the country could be converted into a constitutional monarchy within 15-20 years.

"It will not happen immediately, but we're not asking for it to. To begin with, and I think that this will come very soon, Georgia must change from a presidential form of government to a parliamentary republic. We must learn to govern collectively and make decisions jointly. And in the meantime, we hope that the Bagrationis will give birth to a son who in 15-20 years time will become an adult and will be able to take the throne," said Sanikidze, speaking on the "Spectre" programme on the "Kavkasia" TV channel. According to him, the presidential form of government has not proved itself in Georgia, and this has been demonstrated by all three presidents who have ruled Georgia in the post-Soviet era.

"The man whom the people elect as president thinks for some reason that he has the right to place himself above everyone else, and that he can forget about his direct responsibilities," explained Sanikidze.

In Sanikidze's opinion, the return of a monarchy to Georgia would not only fail to cause additional expenditure, but would reduce it, because "maintenance for the royal family would cost the Georgian state far less than maintenance for President Saakashvili's family and entourage".

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