"This is the moment in time when Mikheil Saakashvili must have finally realized that the niche of political opposition in Georgia was virtually vacant, and that it would be more convenient and expedient for his political future to occupy that niche," Nodia said.
Then, in 2002, Saakashvili won election as chairman of the Tbilisi City Council, a post similar to mayor, which positioned him to carry out popular policies such as repairing the city's crumbling infrastructure.
"He raised pensions to Tbilisi pensioners," Nodia recalled. "He would also participate in actions that really did look dubious from the point of view of the law: He would take a bulldozer and raze to the ground an illegally built gas station, or something like that. And all this he would do in front of TV cameras. That raised his popularity and made sure that people's eyes stayed riveted on him."
Yet Nodia views Saakashvili's credentials as solid.
"First and foremost, he managed to take up the opposition niche that had been vacant," he said. "Second, he proved to be a determined fighter against corruption. And third, he is a well-educated, intelligent and presentable politician."
Many people are convinced of Saakashvili's sincerity and bravery.
"He's very young. He's very strong and energetic. This type of person is needed in Georgia today," said Giorgi Gigoshvili, 22, a university student in Tbilisi who participated in the November protests. "Corruption in Georgia will only be solved by Saakashvili, because he's a fighter. He's proved this by his actions. Everything he's done in the politics of Georgia has been for the good of the country."
The anti-Shevardnadze protests reached their climax when Saakashvili led a takeover of parliament. By a lucky coincidence, from Saakashvili's point of view, the storming of parliament fell on St. Michael's Day, when people named Mikheil celebrate their patron saint's day. The next day, St. George's Day, Shevardnadze resigned. St. George is the country's patron saint.
Exactly what Saakashvili may believe about such portents is not clear, but he welcomed the timing. "Lately he has displayed a special liking for some mystical allusions, prophetic signs and coincidences," Nodia said. "He, or his advisors, realize that this is exactly what the public needs."
