Son of Georgian presidential candidate Salome Zourabichvili calls rival to debate

The son of Georgian presidential candidate Salome Zourabichvili has proposed holding a debate with the son of her rival, opposition candidate Grigol Vashadze.

Teimuraz Gorjestani, Zourabichvili’s son, called the challenge at a meeting with young voters which he attended with his mother.

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Gorjestani asked where Grigol Vashadze’s son was, and why he was not supporting his father during the election campaign:

“I am here, and in three days Ketevan [Zourabichvili’s daughter, Teimuraz’s sister] will arrive from Paris. I came from London, and I have a question – where is Nodar Vashadze – in Moscow?”

Teimuraz Gorjestani expressed his willingness and desire to meet with Nodar Vashadze:

“I have one thing to say. We answer questions and speak on TV so that you can meet us and know who Salome Zourabichvili’s family are and who her children are. I wonder who Grigol Vashadze’s eldest son is. If he agrees, he will come, and if he knows Georgian, I’m ready to challenge him to a debate – anytime, anywhere. We will talk like Georgian men about what Georgia is, Georgian culture and Georgian language. I’m ready when you are, Mister Nodar,” he said.

Teimuraz Gorjestani’s statement resonated on social networks, and sparked comments such as: “Let the dogs fight. We will arrange for or call the cousins and aunts to debate as well.”

Salome Zourabichvili has two children – her son Teimuraz, 32, and daughter Ketevan Gordzhestani, 29. Like Salome Zourabichvili, they grew up in Paris. Teimuraz is a diplomat and works in the UN mission. Ketevan lives in Paris, where she works as a leading sports reporter on television. Zourabichvili’s children arrived in Georgia before the 28 October elections to support their mother. Teimuraz and Ketevan have repeatedly appeared in various programmes on Georgian television channels, have given interviews to the press and made statements during Zourabichvili’s election campaign.

Grigol Vashadze has two children: his son Nodar Vashadze from his first marriage, of which little is known other than that he lives in Russia, and 12-year-old daughter Elena Vashadze with his current wife, prima ballerina Nino Ananiashvili.