Knowing the extent of his unpopularity in 2003, many believe that he was ready to leave power but needed a successor who would ensure that his legacy (and his wealth) survived. To be sure, Saakashvili became famous as Georgia’s justice minister for submitting corruption charges against the Shevardnadze family, and early in his presidency was able to reclaim for the state $15 million dollars of the Shevardnadze fortune.
格鲁吉亚民众之后一直质疑谢瓦尔德纳泽是否真被推翻了。考虑到他在2003年多么不得人心，很多人认为他愿意交出权力，但需要找到确保他名声（和财产）的继任者。可以肯定，萨卡什维利出名是因为任格鲁吉亚司法部长期间对谢瓦尔德纳泽家族提出腐败指控，并且在其执政早期成功从谢瓦尔德纳泽手中为国家追回了1500万美元的财富。