Political scientists: David Bakradze became presidential candidate on Saakashvili's decision

As suggested by Kakha Kakhishvili, the head of the Centre for Election Studies, David Bakradze, the presidential candidate of the oppositional "United National Movement" (UNM) Party, was nominated by Mikhail Saakashvili, the incumbent President of Georgia and the leader of the party.

Let us remind you that David Bakradze became the presidential candidate from the oppositional pro-presidential UNM by the results of the final round of primaries held on July 27.

"The party has clear instructions to follow," Kakha Kakhishvili told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He believes that David Bakradze did not want to run for presidency and intended to retire from politics.

"It seems like he was re-convinced and explained that he is the most acceptable person, not associated with the developments in Georgia, when the UNM was in power," said Kakhishvili.

The political scientist and president of the "Forum of European Integration" Iossif Tsiskarishvili agrees with the idea that David Bakradze was appointed to be a presidential candidate.

"Their primaries were just a farce – other candidates had no chance. The idea of primaries was used to imitate the American political system," Mr Tsiskarishvili told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.