Georgian Parliament Fails To Elect New Speaker

On Tuesday, the Georgian parliament has failed to elect a new speaker. Debates continued till night, with the MPs mostly deciding whether to elect a speaker on Tuesday or put the voting off till November 9. Two nominees had been proposed. Six parliamentary factions, the second largest of which was Citizen Union, advanced the candidature of lawyer Nino Burdzhanadze, 37, chairperson of the external relations committee. She enjoys the backing of supporters of former parliamentary speaker Zurab Zhvania. The candidature of ex-Georgian ambassador to Russia and state minister Vazhi Lordkipanidze, 52, was proposed by Tanadgom (Assistance) faction, which backs the incumbent president of Georgia. The date for the next parliamentary session to elect the parliament chairman has not been fixed. Vice-speaker Gigi Tsereteli said the date would be announced later.