GENERAL ELECTIONS in GEORGIA 1St October 2012

GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA 1st October 2012

European Elections monitor President Mikheil Saakashvili’s power wavers as the general elections on 1st October in Corinne Deloy Translated by helen Levy Georgia draw closer

On October 1st 3.6 million Georgians will be appointing the 150 members of their Parliament. The Analysis latter, which at present lies in the capital, Tbilisi, will be transferred to the country’s second most 1 month before important town, Kutaisi, during the next legislature. the poll In power since 2004 the President of the Republic, Mikheil Saakashvili (United National Movement, ENM) has done a great deal to take Georgia forwards but is accused by the opposition of confisca- ting power and of controlling everything that happens in the country. For the first time in 8 years the Head of State will be facing a real rival in these general elections – failing a strong, organised opposition – in the shape of businessman Bidzina Ivanichivili, the founder of the movement, Geor- gian Dream-Democratic Georgia. The general elections on October 1st will be followed in the spring of 2013 by a presidential election, in which, according to the constitution, the present Head of State, M. Saakashvili, cannot stand after having already served two terms in office. His opponents also perceive the extension of his powers as Prime Minister, that are part of the constitutional reform approved in 2010, as a manipulation by M. Saakashvili, who they think is planning to pass from being president to the post of head of government so that he can continue to lead the country after having left the presidency. Two electoral coalitions and 21 political parties are running in the election on 1st October next.

Eight years in power Mikheil Saakashvili to work more towards settling conflict and to strengthen his policy towards the separatist re- In power since January 2004, Mikheil Saakashvili is proud gions, to consolidate the freedom of expression, improve of his performance as Georgia’s leader. Indeed the pres- working conditions, move forwards in terms of sectoral ident can boast the improvements made to the country’s reform and to draw closer to the community acquis on infrastructures (building of roads and improvements in trade and to continue his reform of the judiciary. towns), the re-establishment of everyday security, the suppression of corruption, the re-establishment of gas Whilst Mikheil Saakashvili presents his eight years in and electricity supplies, the renewed payment of retire- office as a success, the opposition highlights shortco- ment pensions and an increase in civil servants’ wages. mings in the way the country has been run, notably the On 15th May 2012 the Neighbourhood Policy report writ- high unemployment rate (16%), the continued poverty ten by the European Commission lauded the reforms that levels and the lack of democratic reform. have been undertaken in the country from the point of view of economic development, the fight to counter cor- Indeed in Georgia the President of the Republic holds ruption and organised crime and the settlement of the most of the power. The governors of the regions are conflict with the separatist regions (Abkhazia, an auto- appointed by him (after 2013 they will be appointed by nomous republic which announced its independence in the Prime Minister). The town councils lack autonomy August 1992 and South Ossetia, which has its own ins- and have little power. Political parties do not have any titutions and 90% of whose population has a Russian real social foundation and do not put any real measures passport). However the European Commission has asked forward to improve government or Georgians’ daily lot.

Political issues FONDATION ROBERT SCHUMAN / GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA / 1ST OCTOBER 2012 General Elections in Georgia 1st October 2012

The war with Russia that his own troops entered into force at the time the Russian forces were making ready to invade Georgia. Georgia has suffered many political crises over the last four years. In the summer of 2008 it went to war. In After the war in 2008 demonstrations against those 02 the night of 7th to 8th August 2008 the Georgian armed in office started up again in Georgia, with the oppo- forces went into action to re-establish order in Tskhin- sition accusing Mikheil Saakashvili of having led the vali, the capital of South Ossetia, an intervention that country to defeat and ruin. The following year many was broadcast live on the television channel Rustavi 2. demonstrations were organised against the President But the troops from Tbilisi proved to be too weak in the of the Republic and in the spring of 2009 Tbilisi came face of the Russian forces deployed in the Republic, the to a standstill for a short time, (roads and institutions latter enjoying significantly greater human and mate- in deadlock). In May 2011 two people were killed and rial means The Russian air force bombarded several of nearly 200 arrested during demonstrations organised Georgia’s radar installations, hundreds of civilians were in the centre of Tbilisi after an appeal was made by killed and five days after the start of the conflict, the Nino Burjanadze, the leader of Democratic Movement- Georgian army was forced to retreat. Thanks to the United Georgia and former leader of Parliament (2001- intervention of the European Union, presided over by 2008), who demanded the departure of the Head of France at the time, a six point protocol on the borders State. of both territories was signed between the Georgians and Russians on 12th August. On 26th August Russia Mikheil Saakashvili’s programme acknowledged the independence of South Ossetia, still considered to be occupied territory by Tbilisi. To On 4th July last the Georgian Parliament adopted an date only six states worldwide have acknowledged this increase in spending (9.7 billion € over four years) in country: Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, Vanua- the social and educational sectors as well as an in- tu and Tuvalu. crease in retirement pensions (79€). Every family will Russia’s interest in Abkhazia and South Ossetia lies in receive a coupon of 480€ and a will enjoy a basic heal- the former point of entry to the Black Sea (the port of thcare system that will be introduced for the entire Sokhumi) and the major road that crosses it, starting population. 1.9 billion € will be devoted to be the deve- in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. As for South Ossetia, lopment of rural areas and agriculture. “The time has an enclave, the BTC (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan) oil pipeline come for every family to enjoy the fruits of Georgia’s and the gas pipeline BTE (Baku-Tbilisi-Erezurum) cross modernisation and development,” declared Mikheil it – these transport hydrocarbons from the Caspian Saakashvili. This social plan will form the foundation of Sea to Europe. Finally Moscow mainly fears that it will the electoral programme of the United National Move- be surrounded by former Soviet Republics that are now ment (ENM). During an electoral meeting in Samtredia independent and out of its sphere of influence – which (west of the country), the head of State indicated that would be the case if Georgia were to join NATO. the general elections on 1st October will be vital “this election is a referendum over what we have achieved This year Russia decided to delay the military ma- over the last eight years. It is not my fate which is at nœuvres that it usually undertakes in the Southern stake but that of Georgia, our children and our young Caucasus until September. Mikheil Saakashvili was people.” quick to present this decision as “the prelude to a new invasion of Georgia.” On 30th June Ivane (aka Vano) Merabichvili was ap- In August last Russian President Vladimir Putin admit- pointed Prime Minister. Former Interior Minister, he has ted as he was interviewed on television that the war in produced some good results in terms of the fight to Georgia had been planned by the Russian military chief counter corruption within the police force and in the of staff. “There was a plan, it is not a secret. It was opinion of some Georgians he was behind the use of part of plan undertaken by Russia. It was prepared by force during the demonstrations in 2007 and 2011. the Chief of Staff at the end of 206 beginning 2007. I Ivane Merabichvili was replaced in his function by approved it,” he maintained. The Head of the Russian former Defence Minister, Batcho Akhalaïa. State admitted that Russian soldiers had been training local militia for two years, which in fact comprises an The unknown factor – Bidzina Ivanichvili – infringement of international laws. Georgian President from dream to reality? Mikheil Saakashvili legitimately stated that the invasion by the Russian army of his country was “a premedita- For the first time since he came to power Mikheil Saa- ted act of aggression against a sovereign nation” and kashvili will be facing a political rival on October 1st in

Political issues FONDATION ROBERT SCHUMAN / GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA / 1ST OCTOBER 2012 General Elections in Georgia 1st October 2012

the shape of Bidzina Ivanichvili, the founder of Geor- med my decision to found a party and to run in the 2012 gian Dream and leader of a coalition that comprises general elections.” Bidzina Ivanichvili qualifies Mikheil several opposition parties. A multi-millionaire busi- Saakashvili’s presidency as an “unhealthy situation” nessman Bidzina Ivanichvili decided in October 2011 which has led to a “culture of irresponsibility amongst 03 to enter politics and create his own party with the aim civil servants and opacity in the way that matters are of becoming Prime Minister. As soon as he made this undertaken.” In his opinion the head of State has com- announcement he was deprived of his Georgian natio- mitted “unpardonable mistakes” and intends to stay in nality by the national civil registry. At the time he had power beyond the constitutional term of his mandate. three passports. Since then he has relinquished his “Mikheil Saakashvili is a coward and has no argument Russian (he says that he has not been involved in Rus- apart from lies and violence. The country cannot be led sian politics in over 9 years – i.e. at least since 2004, by a man who lacks common sense,” he maintained. the year in which he returned to Georgia) and French In his opinion change has to come from the ballot (29th December 2011) nationalities. Georgia no longer box. He has no political programme other than that of accepts dual nationality. Likewise, according to the law “happiness for all”. He says that if he wins the general only Georgian citizens are allowed to found a political election he will reduce unemployment, introduce uni- party. versal medical cover, increase the number of schools Bidzina Ivanichvili comes from the village of Tchorvika and will offer quality education, he will increase reti- in the canton of Satchker. For years he has worked as rement pensions, invest one billion euros in agricul- a national sponsor, restoring theatres, giving grants to ture and finally he will guarantee the independence of actors, painters and researchers who work towards the the police force, the judiciary and the media. Moreover building of churches and even the cathedral Saint Trini- he is promising to unify Georgia, saying that he will ty of Tbilisi and the University of Tbilisi. He has helped improve relations between Tbilisi and Moscow (whilst with the construction of several infrastructures and saying that he supports his country’s membership of police barracks, in addition to this he has helped equip the EU and NATO). Bidzina Ivanichvili says that with the police force. A shareholder in the Russian company him Georgia’s development will be such that he will Gazprom, Ivanichvili’s fortune is in Russia, notably in lead Abkhazia and South Ossetia towards their reinte- the pharmacy chainstore Doctor Stoletov, the Rossiiki gration of Georgia. Kredit Bank, the agro-food company Stoilinskie Nivy On 27th May last, just after the Georgian national day, and the real estate complex Sadovyé Kvartaly. a demonstration in support of Bidzina Ivanichvili – Bidzina Ivanichvili launched his movement, Georgian the biggest rally organised in the country since 2009 Dream-Democratic Georgia on 21st February 2012. – took place in Freedom Square and along the Rous- Chaired by lawyer Manana Kobakhidze, the movement taveli Avenue in Tbilisi. “Every Georgian citizen has rallied for the general election within a coalition com- the moral obligation to fight to overthrow the power prising several opposition parties: Our Georgia-Free in office democratically.” On 10th June Bidzina Ivani- Democrats (led by former the representative of Geor- chvili’s supporters rallied in Aghmashenebli Square in gia at the UN, Irakli Alassania), the Republican Party Kutaisi, then on 17th June in Ozurgeti. led by Davit Usupashvili, the National Forum led by Kakha Shartava, the Conservative Party led by Zviad Mikheil Saakashvili has accused Bidzina Ivanichvili of Dzidziguri and finally Industry will save Georgia. being manipulated by Russia and of wanting to bring Georgia back into Moscow’s sphere of influence. On se- Bidzina Ivanichvili explains that his political commit- veral occasions he has intimated that it was impossible ment comes from the desire to put an end to Mikheil to become successful and rich and to have put together Saakashvili’s monopoly over power: “Mikheil Saakash- an economic empire in Russia without having joined vili’s monopoly of power and the constitutional amend- forces with the ruling powers in Moscow. ments that show his intention to stay in power and The Head of State has used all the means available to govern beyond the constitutional term in office confir- him to destabilise his rival. On 11th June the Georgian

1ST OCTOBER 2012 / GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA / FONDATION ROBERT SCHUMAN Political issues General Elections in Georgia 1st October 2012

Court set a 72 million € fine on Bidzina Ivanichvili for a minimum of 30,000 voters’ signatures (proportional infringing the law governing the creation of political vote). In the majority vote every candidate (who is parties. This sanction came after many others inclu- not an outgoing MP) must be put forward by a party or ding a 1.25 million € fine for the illegal funding of a prove that he has the support of at least 1,000 voters. 04 political movement. Bidzina Ivanichvili has refused to The new electoral law re-establishes the right for inde- pay these fines saying that they are politically motiva- pendents to stand in the general elections for seats ted. The Georgian government then announced that it attributed during the majority vote. It encourages poli- would auction off some of the shares held by the busi- tical parties to put candidates forward in the election nessman (some of his shares in the Progress and Cartu (both parliamentary and local). Any party that puts banks in order to recover the fines. at least two women forward for every 10 candidates The leader of Georgian Dream was also sentenced receives an additional public subsidy if it succeeds in to a fine of 36 million euros at the beginning of June winning more than 5% of the vote. for having infringed electoral campaign funding rules. Finally the Georgian Parliament approved an amend- Indeed he purchased 300,000 satellite dishes to enable ment to the Constitution that enables European ci- some Georgian citizens to watch TV9, an information tizens living in Georgia for at least five years to run channel launched by his wife Yekaterina Khvedelidze in the national elections. This new law is theoretically and run by Kakha Bekauri. “The Georgian authorities applicable as of January 1st 2014 but will be effective have inflicted excessive, exaggerated fines on the op- this year already. The minimum age of eligibility was position movement Georgian Dream-Democratic Geor- reduced from 25 to 21. As of December 1st 2012 the gia led by Bidzina Ivanichvili which is undermining its vote of ¾ of the Parliament (and no longer 2/3) will be normal political activities,” maintained Boriss Cilevics vital for amendments to be made to the Constitution. and Astrup Jensen, rapporteurs for Georgia at the Par- This amendment is due to be confirmed after the vote liamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. taken by the new parliament.

The political system 5 political parties are represented in the present Geor- gian parliament: The Georgian parliament (Sakartvelos Parlamenti) – the United National Movement (ENM) created in comprises 150 MPs, 73 of whom are elected by a ma- 2001 and led by the President of the Republic Mikheil jority vote in constituencies, and 77 are appointed by Saakashvili and the present leader of Parliament David proportional voting in one national constituency. This Bakradze, with 119 seats; change in the distribution of seats is the result of the – New Rights led by Davit Gamkrelidze, 17 MPs; change made to the electoral law approved on 28th – the Christian Democratic Party (KDM), led by Giorgi December 2011. It stipulates that a party can be re- Targamadze, 6 seats; presented in Parliament (six seats minimum) and form – the Labour Party (SLP), led by Shalva Natelashvili, a parliamentary group if it wins at least 5% of the 6 MPs; votes cast. To run in the general elections any party – the Republican Party led by Davit Usupashvili, 2 that is not represented in Parliament has to achieve seats.

Reminder of the General election results on 21st May 2008 in Georgia

Turnout: 59.30%

Political Parties No of votes won % of votes won No of seat

United National Movement for a victorious 1 050 237 59.18 119 Georgia (ENM)

Coalition New Rights-National United 314 668 17.73 17 Opposition Council

Christian Democratic Party (KDM) 153 634 8.66 6

Labour Party (SLP) 132 092 7,44 6

Republican Party 67 037 3.78 2

Others 56 979 3.21 0

Source : Georgian Central Electoral Commission

Political issues FONDATION ROBERT SCHUMAN / GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA / 1ST OCTOBER 2012 General Elections in Georgia 1st October 2012

According to a poll by the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner On several occasions Western authorities have Institute, the United National Movement led by Mikheil warned Tbilisi of the importance of organising free, Saakashvili is due to win 46% of the vote on October 1st transparent general elections. On 20th June last a UN next. The Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia coalition report spoke of a “climate of fear and intimidation on 05 is due to win 24% of the vote. The Christian Democratic the part of opposition party members and members of Party (KDM), led by Giorgi Targamadze and New Rights civil society.” Catherine Ray, the spokesperson of the led by Davit Gamkrelidze, are due to win 5% and 3% of European Commissioner for Development Aid, Andris the vote respectively i.e. below the minimum threshold Piebalgs said she was concerned about the electoral required to be represented in Parliament. environment that is “increasingly polarised and beco- Bidzina Ivanichvili will benefit from the withdrawal of ming worse” and recalled that the elections had to Nino Burjanadze, the leader of the opposition party, respect acknowledged international standards. “Even Democratic Movement-United Georgia. She has very though I can see little sign of Leninism in this electoral little hope of rising beyond the 5% vote threshold and campaign it is present because the parties are trying to therefore chose not to take part in the election. “We destroy each other as if they were enemies,” declared are relinquishing our own political ambitions to support Ricardo Millori, chair of the mission of the OSCE dele- the opposition,” she declared. gation in Georgia.

The opposition led by businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili wins the general election in Georgia.

Businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia movement declared the victory of his coalition on the release of the first results of the general elections that took place on October 1st in Georgia. According to these results that are still incomplete [1], the Results coalition that rallies his party, Our Georgia-Free Democrats (led by former representative of Geor- gia at the UN; Irakli Alassania), the Republican Party led by Davit Usupashvili, the National Forum led by Kakha Shartava, the Conservative Party led by Zviad Dzidziguri and Industry will Save Georgia, is said to have won 55.08% of the vote (as far as the vote for the 77 seats (out of 150) appointed by the proportional vote are concerned (the 73 others are distributed by a majority vote within constituencies). The United National Movement (UNM), the party of the President of the Republic Mikheil Saaka- shvili, in office for the last eight years, is said to have won 40.14% of the vote. The head of State 1. http://www.cec.gov.ge/ acknowledged the defeat of his party [2]. “It is clear that Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_ has won the majority. This means that the parliamentary majority must form a new government id=13&info_id=10747 and I, as president and in line with the Constitution, have to facilitate the process so that the new 2. http://www.civil.ge/eng/ government can start work,” he declared in an announcement on television. article.php?id=25299

The turnout rate rose to 60.8 % [3]. “The general elections in Georgia comprise a major step 3. http://www.cec.gov.ge/ forward in the strengthening of the organisation of democratic elections, although certain key pro- files/2012/aqtivoba_20_saati.pdf blems have to be settled,” indicated the OSCE in a press release [4]. 4. http://www.osce.org/odihr/ elections/94597

1ST OCTOBER 2012 / GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA / FONDATION ROBERT SCHUMAN Political issues General Elections in Georgia 1st October 2012

“We have won! The Georgian people has won (...) I entity to other religious groups in the country in the have achieved what I have been fighting for so long summer of 2011. (...) The wisdom and experience of the Georgians have, The constitutional reform approved in 2010 anticipates 06 for the first time, created the conditions for democratic an extension of the powers of the Prime Minister and change via these elections (…) The hours of this regime that the general elections on October 1st would be are now running out,” indicated Bidzina Ivanishvili in a followed – in the spring of 2013 – by the presiden- speech that was broadcast by TV9, a continuous infor- tial election, for which according to the Constitution, mation channel launched by his wife Yekaterina Khve- the present head of State, Mikheil Saakashvili is not delidze and managed by Kakha Bekauri. “You deserve allowed to run after having completed two successive a decent future and to count amongst the leading Eu- terms in office. ropean nations,” he declared to the Georgians. “Our foreign policy will remain unchanged, we shall The election campaign was marked by an extreme continue on our Euro-Atlantic path, undoubtedly we polarisation which increased on 18th September last shall become a member of NATO,” maintained Bidzina when the TV channels Maestro and Channel 9 broad- Ivanishvili. The opposition leader’s political project and cast videos showing the guards in prison No.8 at notably his position regarding neighbouring Russia is Gldani (a suburb of Tbilisi) maltreating prisoners. The unclear however. The President of the Republic, Mikheil broadcast of these videos led to many demonstrations. Saakashvili accuses the businessman of being manipu- Those in power reacted rapidly since Interior Minister, lated by Moscow and of wanting to bring Georgia back Bacho Akhalaia and the Minister responsible for Peni- into the sphere of influence of its powerful neighbour. tentiary Administration, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze imme- Bidzina Ivanishvili, who says that he supports Geor- diately resigned. The latter was replaced by the Human gia’s membership of the EU and of NATO, is asking for Rights defender Giorgui Tuguchi. The videos certainly the re-establishment of relations with Russia. The op- influenced the outcome of the election which the Pre- position leader has always accused Mikheil Saakashvili sident of the Republic, Mikheil Saakashvili had turned of having started the war with Russia in August 2008. into a referendum on the results of his eight years in office. Aged 56, Bidzina Ivanishvili comes from the village of Bidzina Ivanishvili explained his ‘sudden’ launch into Tchorvika that lies in the canton of Satchker, about 150 political life by his desire to put an end to the monopoly km to the east of Tbilisi. A qualified engineer, he left Mikheil Saakashvili has had over power. The defeat of to live in Moscow in 1982. He then went into business the United Social Movement in the ballot box and the selling computers and telephones. In 1990 he opened departure of the President of the Republic was his goal. one of the first banks, the Rossiyskiy Kredit Bank, that As for his programme he promises “happiness for all” became the partner of several of the country’s public and an increase in government subsidies for employ- institutions. In 1996, Bidzina Ivanishvili supported Ge- ment, healthcare and agriculture etc … “The opposition neral Aleksander Lebed in his Russian presidential bid coalition Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia is dispa- with the aim of attracting a share of the Communist rate, it’s a Frankenstein policy, rallying Mikheil Saaka- Party supporters. When asked about the role he had shvili’s opponents from the left to the right,” analyses played at the time he clearly states in an interview Sophie Tournon of the Russian and Euro-Asian Re- with the weekly L’Express on 30th September last, “I search Centre (CRREA) at the National Institute for played a major role because I saved both Boris Yeltsin Eastern Languages and Civilisations (INALCO). Bidzina and democracy. I understood how Boris Yeltsin, who Ivanishvili enjoys the support of the Georgian Ortho- had been forecast as the loser in the polls against the dox Church, one of the country’s influential players, communist Guenady Zyuganov, could win the elec- which is against the present Head of State’s policy tion.” He left Russia in 2002 to live in France returning which it deems too Western, nor did it appreciate the to Georgia in 2004. fact that the government granted the status of legal Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is ranked as the world’s 153rd

Political issues FONDATION ROBERT SCHUMAN / GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA / 1ST OCTOBER 2012 General Elections in Georgia 1st October 2012

fortune by the magazine Forbes (estimated at 4.8 bil- and real estate in the company Unicor (982 million $) lion €) maintains that he has already spent 1.6 billion $ and finally his gold stocks. Mikheil Saakachvili’s suppor- (1.2 billion €) for his country. Over the last few years he ters have criticised the (extremely rapid) way that these has been a sponsor, restoring theatres, giving grants sales occurred and the (high) sums of money this gave 07 to actors; painters and researchers; he has taken part to the businessman in a difficult economic context, whilst in building churches, the Saint Trinity cathedral in Tbi- the authorisation for the sale of property like this ge- lisi and even the capital’s university. He also helped nerally takes several months at least. Bidzina Ivanish- to build various infrastructures, police barracks and he vili launched his movement Georgian Dream-Democratic has equipped the police forces. Georgia on 21st February 2012. According to Mr Ivanishvili (not confirmed by the Head of State), the billionaire broke off relations with the Pre- The latter has always said that if he won he would quit sident of the Republic, Mikheil Saakashvili during the the post of Prime Minister after two years in office to violent demonstrations in November 2007 organised join the ranks of the opposition in order to “enhance civil against the government in office. In October 2011, he society and pluralist democracy.” “As soon as my political announced that he had decided to launch into politics career stared on 7th October 2011 I announced that my and created his own party in a bid to become Prime commitment would last two or three years maximum. Minister. He then relinquished his Russian (he maintains One year in the opposition. And two as Prime Minister that he has not had any involvement in Russian politics after the general elections of October 1st,” he stressed in in 9 years) and French (29th December 2011) nationa- an interview with L’Express. lities. He sold the Rossyiskiy Kredit Bank (for 352 mil- The 150 MPs in the Sakartvelos Parlamenti, the only lion $), Doktor Stoletov, the pharmaceutical chain that chamber in Parliament, elected on October 1st, will sit in he owned in Russia (70 million $), his portfolio of land Kutaisi Georgia’s second biggest town as of 24th October.

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1ST OCTOBER 2012 / GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA / FONDATION ROBERT SCHUMAN Political issues