First Channel allocates equal airtime to all presidential candidates running in the 2018 presidential polls to be held on October 28 in Georgia. Debates in three different formats will take place on the air of Georgian Public Broadcaster before October 28.

The schedule and sequence was agreed on September 25 during the meeting held at the initiative of First Channel with representatives of all 25 candidates running in the 2018 presidential elections at Georgian Central Election Commission (CEC).

First Format

Starting September 26 to October 25, 10-minute-long airtime will be allocated to each of the 25 presidential candidates in the main news bulletin of “Moambe” every day except Sundays at 21:30. The candidates will be able to present their programs and vision to voters. On October 13, Saturday, “Moambe” will not be on the air due to the match Georgia-Andorra of the Nations League.

Sequence of presidential candidates:

26 September – Besarion Tediashvili – Initiative Group;

27 September – Irakli Gorgadze – Movement for Free Georgia;

28 September – Zviad Mekhatishvili – Georgian Christian-Conservative Party

29 September – Levan Chkheidze – New Christian-Democrats”

1 October – Gela Khutsishvili – Political Movement of Georgian Law-enforcer Veterans and Patriots;

2 October – Kakhaber Chichinadze – Initiative Group;

3 October – Shalva Natelashvili – Georgian Labor Party;

4 October – Vladimer Nonikashvili – Initiative Group;

5 October – Salome Zurabishvili – Initiative Group;

6 October – Grigol Vashadze – United National Movement;

8 October – Mikheil Antadze – Movement State for People;

9 October – Akaki Asatiani – Georgian Traditionalists’ Union;

10 October – Political Movement Freedom – Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s Way;

11 October – Zviad Iashvili – National-Democratic Party;

12 October – Zviad Baghdavadze – Civil Platform – New Georgia;

15 October – Giorgi Liluashvili – Party Georgia;

16 October – Mikheil Saluashvili – Voice of Nation- Union of Restoration of Justice;

17 October – Kakha Kukava – Free Georgia;

18 October – Teimuraz Shashiashvili – Initiative Group;

19 October – Giorgi Andriadze – Initiative Group;

20 October – Otar Meunargia – Industry Will Save Georgia;

22 October – Davit Usupashvili – Free Democrats;

23 October — Davit Bakradze – European Georgia;

24 October – Vakhtang Gabunia – Christian-Democratic Movement;

25 October – Zurab Japaridze – “Girchi” Party.

The debates among non-qualified candidates will be held on October 12 at 22:00 with participation of 9 candidates:

1. Giorgi Liluashvili
2. Mikheil Saluashvili
3. Zurab Japaridze
4. Salome Zurabishvili
5. Besarion Tediashvili
6. Giorgi Andriadze
7. Kakhaber Chichinadze
8. Vladimer Nonikashvili
9. Teimuraz Shashiashvili

Qualified entities were divided into 2 groups with participation of 8-8 candidates.

On October 19, the debates will be held among the following candidates:

1. Mikheil Antadze
2. Vakhtang Gabunia
3. Grigol Vashadze
4. Zviad Mekhatishvili
5. Akaki Asatiani
6. Otar Meunargia
7. Zviad Iashvili
8. Gela Khutsishvili

On October 26, the debates will be held among the following candidates:

1. Davit Bakradze
2. Shalva Natelashvili
3. Irakli Gorgadze
4. Davit Usupashvili
5. Zviad Baghdavadze
6. Tamar Tskhoragauli
7. Levan Chkheidze
8. Kakha Kukava

First Channel also gives the opportunity to the candidates to challenge each other in the debates and in case of agreement, is ready to allocate airtime: October 4, 22:00- 23:00; October 8, 22:00- 23:00; October 9, 22:00- 23:00; October 11, 22:00- 23:00;  October 15, 22:00- 23:00; October 18, 22:00- 23:00; October 23, 22:00- 23:00; October 25, 22:00- 23:00. First Channel will ensure technical issues of the debates.