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EXPERT POLLS Issue #8
October 2018 Georgian Institute of Politics EXPERT POLLS Issue #8 Zurabishvili is in the lead but is unlikely to win the first round, according to experts The candidate endorsed by the Georgian Dream (GD), Salome Zurabishvili, remains the strongest contender in the October 28 presidential election, but she will not win in the first round, according to the latest poll of engaged observers and experts. The expert survey, conducted by the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) in early October, is based on the opinions of 40 international and Georgian political observers and experts, whose input was collected through various channels. In sum, these estimates can be viewed as a “corridor of expectations” for the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections. Poll results: “Corridor of Expectations” Salome Zurabishvili / Georgian Dream 31-45 % Grigol Vashadze / United National Movement 20-31 % David Bakradze / European Georgia 12-20 % David Usupashvili / Development Movement 3-9 % Zurab Japaridze / Girchi 2-7 % 1 | WWW.GIP.GE Figure 1: Corridor of expectations (in percent) Who is going to win the presidential election? According to surveyed experts (figure 1), Salome Zurabishvili, who is endorsed by the governing Georgian Dream party, is poised to receive the most votes in the upcoming presidential elections. It is likely, however, that she will not receive enough votes to win the elections in the first round. According to the survey, Zurabishvili’s vote share in the first round of the elections will be between 31-45%. She will be followed by the United National Movement (UNM) candidate, Grigol Vashadze, who is expected to receive between 20-31% of votes. -
Urgent Action
Further information on UA: 61/16 Index: EUR 56/3993/2016 Georgia Date: 10 May 2016 URGENT ACTION BILL BANNING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE MOVES FORWARD The bill which would amend the Constitution introducing a definition of marriage as a union exclusively between a man and a woman, received the endorsement of the Parliament’s Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee on 5 May. Now the bill has to go through other committee hearings after which it will be voted by the parliament. On 5 May the Parliament’s Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee endorsed the bill which would amend the Georgian Constitution introducing a definition of marriage explicitly as a union between a man and a woman. The committee hearings follow weeks of public discussions on the bill organized by the parliament across Georgia. According to the Parliament’s First Vice Speaker the bill has received overwhelming public support. Georgian Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) activists could not attend the discussions, citing security reasons and a hostile atmosphere in the discussion venues. The bill has now to go through other committee hearings, after which it will be voted by the parliament. The First Vice Speaker of the parliament told Georgian media on 5 May that should the bill not receive enough support among parliamentarians, a referendum on the banning of same-sex marriage in the Constitution might be organised. The Central Election Commission of Georgia already registered a request for such referendum on 28 March. This request was the initiative of a citizens’ group and now needs a minimum of 200,000 signatures supporting the referendum, after which the President of Georgia will decide on the matter. -
News Digest on Georgia
NEWS DIGEST ON GEORGIA July 13-16 Compiled by: Aleksandre Davitashvili Date: July 17, 2018 Occupied Regions Abkhazia Region 1. Saakashvili, Akhalaia, Kezerashvili, Okruashvili included in black list of occupied Abkhazia The "Organization of War Veterans" of occupied Abkhazia has presented “Khishba-Sigua List” to the de-facto parliament of Abkhazia. The following persons are included in the list set up in response to Georgian central government’s so-called “Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili List” : Ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, former defence ministers – Bacho Akhalaia, Davit Kezerashvili, Irakli Okruashvili, Tengiz Kitovani and Gia Karkarashvili, former secretary of the National Security Council Irakli Batiashvili, former internal affairs minister Vano Merabishvili, Former head of the Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces Zaza Gogava, former Defense Ministry senior official Megis Kardava, Brigadier General Mamuka Kurashvili, leader of "Forest Brothers" Davit Shengelia, former employee of the MIA Roman Shamatava and other persons are included in the list (IPN.GE, July 15, 2018). 2. Sergi Kapanadze says “Khishba-Sigua List” by de-facto Abkhazia is part of internal game and means nothing for Georgia There is no need to make a serious comment about “Khishba-Sigua List” as this list cannot have any effect on the public life of Georgia, Sergi Kapanadze, member of the “European Georgia” party, told reporters. The lawmaker believes that the list will not have legal or political consequences. (IPN.GE, July 15, 2018). Foreign Affairs 3. Jens Stoltenberg – We agreed to continue working together to prepare Georgia for NATO membership “We also met with the Presidents of Georgia and Ukraine. Together we discussed shared concerns. -
Georgia: Background and U.S
Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy Updated September 5, 2018 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45307 SUMMARY R45307 Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy September 5, 2018 Georgia is one of the United States’ closest non-NATO partners among the post-Soviet states. With a history of strong economic aid and security cooperation, the United States Cory Welt has deepened its strategic partnership with Georgia since Russia’s 2008 invasion of Analyst in European Affairs Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. policy expressly supports Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid in Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to be one of the most democratic states in the post-Soviet region, even as the country faces ongoing governance challenges. The center-left Georgian Dream party has more than a three-fourths supermajority in parliament, allowing it to rule with only limited checks and balances. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy in 2017 appeared to enter a period of stronger growth than the previous four years. The Georgian Dream won elections in 2012 amid growing dissatisfaction with the former ruling party, Georgia: Basic Facts Mikheil Saakashvili’s center-right United National Population: 3.73 million (2018 est.) Movement, which came to power as a result of Comparative Area: slightly larger than West Virginia Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution. In August 2008, Capital: Tbilisi Russia went to war with Georgia to prevent Ethnic Composition: 87% Georgian, 6% Azerbaijani, 5% Saakashvili’s government from reestablishing control Armenian (2014 census) over Georgia’s regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Religion: 83% Georgian Orthodox, 11% Muslim, 3% Armenian which broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s to Apostolic (2014 census) become informal Russian protectorates. -
Tbilisi Architecture at the Intersection of Continents
Tbilisi Architecture at the Intersection of Continents From 10 March until 27 April 2016 Concept: Adolph Stiller Exhibition venue: Exhibition Centre in the Ringturm 1010 Vienna, Schottenring 30 Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, free admission (closed on public holidays as well as 25 March 2016) Press tour: Wednesday, 9 March 2016, 4 pm Speakers: Irina Kurtishvili, Rostyslaw Bortnyk, Adolph Stiller Official Opening Wednesday, 9 March 2016, 6.30 pm (by invitation only) Enquiries to: Romy Schrammel T: +43 (0)50 350-21224 F: +43 (0)50 350 99-21224 E-Mail: [email protected] Free press photos are available for download at http://go.picturedesk.com/ElaVKAiP WIENER STÄDTISCHE WECHSELSEITIGER VERSICHERUNGSVEREIN – VERMÖGENSVERWALTUNG – VIENNA INSURANCE GROUP Ringturm, Schottenring 30, PO Box 80, A-1011 Vienna Mutual insurance company with a registered office in Vienna; Commercial Court of Vienna; FN 101530 i; DVR no 0688533; VAD ID no ATU 15363309 Tbilisi – architecture at the crossroads of Europe and Asia The name Tbilisi is derived from the old Georgian word “tbili”, which roughly translates as “warm” and refers to the region’s numerous hot sulphur springs that reach temperatures of up to 47°C. The area was first settled in the early Bronze Age, and ancient times also left their mark: in Greek mythology, the Argonauts sailed to Colchis, which was part of Georgia, in their quest for the Golden Fleece. In the fifth century King Vakhtang I Gorgasali turned the existing settlement into a fortified town, and in the first half of that century Tbilisi was recognised as the second capital of the kings of Kartli in eastern Georgia. -
Peter Nasmyth's Georgia
PICTURE STORY Peter Nasmyth’s Georgia January 2009 Peter Nasmyth’s Georgia Today's Georgia can only be understood if it is seen in the light of the events of the past two decades. The very difficult transformation the country went through after it declared its independence in 1991, and the conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia which plagued the country since then, still largely shape its present day policies. And nowhere is this better described than in Nasmyth's "Georgia" which is a collection of personal stories of the author and author's friends in Georgia over the years. In his words: I collected stories of people, very specific ones, through which I tell the bigger story of Georgia over time… I never wanted to write about the political forces here, rather the forces that make the politics. This will always give a book a longer life. [Interview with Peter Nasmyth, Tbilisi, October 2008] In the next few pages you will get a guided tour of this excellent book. It is written and it reads like a novel, yet it is full of facts that give a complete account of Georgia's modern day history. The descriptions are so colourful that reading this book is the next best thing to visiting Georgia yourself. What makes the book special is also that the author has updated the book and added new chapters two times after it was first published in 1998. Here we discuss the 2006 edition which covers the modern history of Georgia up to the events of the Rose Revolution. -
Letter of Concern of April 2015
7 April 2015 Mr Giorgi Margvelashvili President of Georgia Abdushelishvili st. 1, Tbilisi, Georgia1 Mr Irakli Garibashvili Prime Minister of Georgia 7 Ingorokva St, Tbilisi 0114, Georgia2 Mr David Usupashvili Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia 26, Abashidze Street, Kutaisi, 4600 Georgia Email: [email protected] Political leaders in Georgia must stop slandering human rights NGOs Mr President, Mr Prime Minister, Mr Chairperson, We, the undersigned members and partners of the Human Rights House Network and the South Caucasus Network of Human Rights Defenders, call upon political leaders in Georgia to stop slandering non-governmental organisations with unfounded accusations and suggestions that their work would harm the country. Since October 2013, public verbal attacks against human rights organisations by leading political figures in Georgia have increased. The situation is starting to resemble to an anti-civil society campaign. In October 2013, the Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Energy Resources of Georgia, Kakhi Kaladze, criticised the non-governmental organisations, which opposed the construction of a hydroelectric power plant and used derogatory terms to express his discontent over their protest.3 In May 2014, you, Mr Prime Minister, slammed NGOs participating in the campaign about privacy rights, “This Affects You,”4 and stated that they “undermine” the functioning of the State and “damage of the international reputation of the country.”5 Such terms do not value disagreement with NGOs and their participation in public debate, but rather delegitimised their work. Further more, the Prime Minister’s statement encouraged other politicians to make critical statements about CSOs and start activities against them. -
Georgian Country and Culture Guide
Georgian Country and Culture Guide მშვიდობის კორპუსი საქართველოში Peace Corps Georgia 2017 Forward What you have in your hands right now is the collaborate effort of numerous Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, who researched, wrote and edited the entire book. The process began in the fall of 2011, when the Language and Cross-Culture component of Peace Corps Georgia launched a Georgian Country and Culture Guide project and PCVs from different regions volunteered to do research and gather information on their specific areas. After the initial information was gathered, the arduous process of merging the researched information began. Extensive editing followed and this is the end result. The book is accompanied by a CD with Georgian music and dance audio and video files. We hope that this book is both informative and useful for you during your service. Sincerely, The Culture Book Team Initial Researchers/Writers Culture Sara Bushman (Director Programming and Training, PC Staff, 2010-11) History Jack Brands (G11), Samantha Oliver (G10) Adjara Jen Geerlings (G10), Emily New (G10) Guria Michelle Anderl (G11), Goodloe Harman (G11), Conor Hartnett (G11), Kaitlin Schaefer (G10) Imereti Caitlin Lowery (G11) Kakheti Jack Brands (G11), Jana Price (G11), Danielle Roe (G10) Kvemo Kartli Anastasia Skoybedo (G11), Chase Johnson (G11) Samstkhe-Javakheti Sam Harris (G10) Tbilisi Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Workplace Culture Kimberly Tramel (G11), Shannon Knudsen (G11), Tami Timmer (G11), Connie Ross (G11) Compilers/Final Editors Jack Brands (G11) Caitlin Lowery (G11) Conor Hartnett (G11) Emily New (G10) Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Compilers of Audio and Video Files Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Irakli Elizbarashvili (IT Specialist, PC Staff) Revised and updated by Tea Sakvarelidze (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator) and Kakha Gordadze (Training Manager). -
Weekly News Digest on Georgia June 29-July 6, 2021
Compiled by: Aleksandre Weekly News Digest on Georgia Davitashvili June 29-July 6, 2021 Compiled on: July 7, 2021 Content Internal Affairs Internal Affairs Political Developments Political Developments 1. Parliament Amends Election Code 1. Parliament Amends Georgian Parliament adopted late on June 28, with 86 votes to three, Election Code amendments to the Election Code, a reform envisaged in the April-19 EU- 2. Central Election Commission Chair brokered deal signed by the ruling Georgian Dream and most of the opposition Resigns parties. 3. Orthodox Church Speaks The amendments introduce new rules to the election system, pre-election Out Against Pride Week campaigning and staffing the Election Administrations. As per the changes, the 4. Diplomatic Missions Central Election Commission Chair will be nominated by the President and Urge Gov’t to Protect approved by 2/3 of votes in the legislature. The number of CEC members Pride Activists increases from 12 to 17, of which eight will be “professional” and nine will be 5. President Defends Tbilisi Pride party-selected. The CEC Chair will have two deputies, one “professional” and one 6. 20 detained while trying selected from the opposition-selected members. to disrupt Tbilisi Pride The changed legislation also increases proportional representation in local events elections and imposes a 40% threshold in the majoritarian part. For example in 7. Former MP Accused of Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo), out of 50 members 40 will be elected through Sexual Violence Released proportional lists, while 10 will be majoritarian – as opposed to the previous on Bail allocation of 25 – 25 (Civil.ge, June 29, 2021). -
TTT - Tips for Tbilisi Travelers
TTT - Tips for Tbilisi Travelers Venue V.Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire (TSC) Address: Griboedov str 8-10, Tbilisi 0108, Georgia Brief info about the city Capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, population about 1.5 million people and 1.263.489 and 349sq.km (135 sq.miles), is one of the most ancient cities in the world. The city is favorably situated on both banks of the Mtkvari (Kura) River and is protected on three sides by mountains. On the same latitude as Barcelona, Rome, and Boston, Tbilisi has a temperate climate with an average temperature of 13.2C (56 F). Winters are relatively mild, with only a few days of snow. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 0.9 C (33F). July is the hottest month with 25.2 C (77 F). Autumn is the loveliest season of a year. Flights Do not be scared to fly to Georgia! You will most probably need a connecting flight to the cities which have direct flights and you will have to face several hours of trips probably arriving during the night, but it will be worth the effort! Direct Flights To Tbilisi are from Istanbul, Munich, Warsaw, Riga, Vienna, Moscow, London: Turkish Airlines - late as well as "normal" arrivals (through Istanbul or Gokcen) Lufthansa (Munich) Baltic airlines (Riga) Polish airlines lot (Warsaw) Aeroflot (Moscow) Ukrainian Airlines - (Kiev) Pegasus - (Istanbul) Georgian Airlines (Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna) Aegean (Athens) Belavia - through Minsk Airzena - through London from may Parkia - through Telaviv Atlas global - through Istanbul Direct flights to Kutaisi ( another city in west Georgia and takes 3 hr driving to the capital) - these are budget flights and are much more cheaper – shuttle buses to Tbiisi available Wizzair flies to Budapest London Vilnius kaunas Saloniki Athens different cities from Germany - berlin, dortmund, minuch, Milan katowice, warsaw Ryanair - from august Air berlin - from august Transfer from the airport - Transfer from the airport to the city takes ca. -
Weekly News Report on Georgia
WEEKLY NEWS REPORT ON GEORGIA Date: May 21 - 27, 2018 Occupied Regions Tskhinvali Region (so called South Ossetia) 1. Zurab Abashidze: Archil Tatunashvili's murder was one of the issues discussed at the meeting with Grigory Karasani "He said that this is a very sad fact and everything should be done in order to prevent any similar case in the future. He said what I had expected - that discussion of the issue should continue in the Geneva format," Abashidze said (IPN.Ge, May 24, 2018). 2. Grigory Karasin: Archil Tatunashvili's death was, of course, a tragedy "I was asked about Archil Tatunashvili's death - of course, it is a tragedy and everything should be done in order to prevent any similar case in the future. This issue should be discussed through direct contacts with the involvement of representatives of Georgia and South Ossetia. Moreover, we have incident prevention mechanisms. I think serious conclusions should be made on the basis of this case", Karasin said (IPN.Ge, May 24, 2018). Foreign Affairs 3. More than a thousand Georgian citizens repatriated from European countries during past four months 1,260 Georgian citizens have been returned to their home country from the EU/Schengen area over the course of January-April of this year. As the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports, they received 1290 applications about readmission from January 1st to April 30th while 1260 of them were confirmed and only 30 rejected (Agenda.ge, May 21, 2018). 4. 17 Georgian citizens arrested in Athens, Greece All detainees are Georgian citizens and are connected to crime boss Nodar Shukakidze who was arrested during a large–scale police operation named Caucase Normandie held simultaneously in France and Greece on April 18, 2018 (Agenda.ge, May 21, 2018). -
'Krym Nash': an Analysis of Modern Russian Deception Warfare
‘Krym Nash’: An Analysis of Modern Russian Deception Warfare ‘De Krim is van ons’ Een analyse van hedendaagse Russische wijze van oorlogvoeren – inmenging door misleiding (met een samenvatting in het Nederlands) Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan de Universiteit Utrecht op gezag van de rector magnificus, prof. dr. H.R.B.M. Kummeling, ingevolge het besluit van het college voor promoties in het openbaar te verdedigen op woensdag 16 december 2020 des middags te 12.45 uur door Albert Johan Hendrik Bouwmeester geboren op 25 mei 1962 te Enschede Promotoren: Prof. dr. B.G.J. de Graaff Prof. dr. P.A.L. Ducheine Dit proefschrift werd mede mogelijk gemaakt met financiële steun van het ministerie van Defensie. ii Table of contents Table of contents .................................................................................................. iii List of abbreviations ............................................................................................ vii Abbreviations and Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... vii Country codes .................................................................................................................................................... ix American State Codes ....................................................................................................................................... ix List of figures ......................................................................................................