The six-party coalition Georgian Dream achieved a convincing victory over the ruling party United National Movement in Georgia’s October 1 parliamentary elections.
According to the preliminary results published by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on October 3, “Bidzina Ivanishvili-Georgian Dream” (GD) gained 55.08 percent and “United National Movement-More Benefits to People” (UNM) 40.14 percent of the parliamentary seats through the proportional system. No other party was able to cross the 5 percent threshold to secure seats in the legislative body. Although the results of majoritarian candidates have not yet been released, it is clear that GD will enter the parliament with a strong, but likely not with a constitutional, majority.
Hence, it seems that the Georgian people have managed to take a first step toward a peaceful transfer of power through elections, for the first time since Georgia gained independence in 1991.
International observes welcomed the democratic conduct of Georgia’s elections. “Despite shortcomings, these elections were very competitive,” according to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) delegation, which also called on the political forces “to address these shortcomings for the further democratic development of the country.”
The president of Georgia and leader of UNM Mikheil Saakashvili acknowledged his party’s defeat in a televised address aired on October 2. “It is obvious that the coalition Georgian Dream has gained an advantage in these elections,” he said.
As Saakashvili maintains his post until 2013, the present constitution provides him with considerable leverage to stir governmental crises. However, Saakashvil pledged to cooperate with new political team despite “very deep differences” that persist between them on fundamental political issues.
“[GD’s election victory by a large margin] means that the parliamentary majority should form a new government and I, as the President, will contribute – within the frames of the constitution – to the process of launching Parliament’s work so that it is able to elect its Chairman and also to form a new government,” he said.
Meanwhile, at his first briefing held after the parliamentary elections, GD’s leader Bidzina Ivanishvili promised to maintain a western-oriented foreign policy course but also noted that a small country like Georgia should not have several strategic partners and play big geopolitical games. Rather, “we should remain a regional player and determine regional policy… we must be acceptable for all of our partners,” he said.
While questioned about the formation of new cabinet Ivanishvili said he was not aware of the legal details and had not yet determined the composition of the new cabinet. However, he excluded the possibility of maintaining the incumbent ministers in a new government.
At the briefing, Ivanishvili also publicly suggested that Saakashvili’s should resign. “The only right thing for him to do now is to take his pen and resign … this would be good for himself and for his future,” he said. On the question whether he would seek to impeach Saakashvili’s through a parliamentary vote, Ivanishvili answered: “It would be better for me if he himself resigns … Of course there are some other options as well and I do not rule out [impeachment] too, but right now there are no such plans.”
The statement immediately triggered concerns among the international community. “This call is totally unacceptable and is a direct attack against democracy and the rule of law,” the President of the European People’s Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens said in response to Ivanishvili’s demand.
All key regional players have already recognized the legitimacy of parliamentary elections in Georgia. The US praised Georgia for “successful” parliamentary elections and dubbed the October 1 polls as “another milestone” for the country’s democratic development. “Georgian citizens have set a regional and global example by conducting a competitive campaign, freely exercising their democratic rights,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement on October 2.
Likewise, the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and the European Neighborhood, said in a joint statement on October 2 that “the high level of voter participation underscore Georgia’s commitment to its democratic path.”
Moscow has expressed its attitude toward the shift of power in Georgia as well. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said “If these [preliminary] results become real, the political landscape of Georgia will become more diverse. It can only be welcomed, because probably it means that more constructive and responsible forces will come to the Parliament,” RIA Novosti reported on October 2.