The first Political TV-debates were held in connection with the pre-election period on the air of First Channel of the Georgian Public Broadcasting (GPB) yesterday.

GPB offers live air to qualified political parties participating in the 2012 parliamentary elections.

The prime-minister candidates of the qualified political parties took part in the debate: 1) Shalva Natelashvili- Labor Party; 2) Giorgi Targamadze - Christian-Democratic Movement (CDM); 3) Vano Merabishvili the United National Movement Party.

Political debates are a joint project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), and GPB.

The balloting determined consequence of candidates, who had to deliver welcoming speeches, answers and conclusions. The time given to each candidate was strictly controlled.

Rules of the debates have been elaborated by experts of IFES.