Euro News Source
No Result
View All Result
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
  • Login
  • Home
  • Latest News
    • All Europe
    • United Kingdom
      • England
      • Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Wales
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Austria
    • Belgium
    • Netherlands
    • Switzerland
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Videosnew
Subscribe
Euro News Source
  • Home
  • Latest News
    • All Europe
    • United Kingdom
      • England
      • Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Wales
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Austria
    • Belgium
    • Netherlands
    • Switzerland
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Videosnew
No Result
View All Result
Euro News Source
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Georgia’s way to Europe: building consensus for a stronger civil society

by Euro News
October 15, 2021
in Politics
A A
0
153
SHARES
1.9k
VIEWS
FacebookTwitterLinkedin

On October 2, 2021, Georgia held municipal elections. The elections, widely perceived by the EU and the U.S. as a test for the central government’s current level of public support and its capacity to organize the scrutiny under transparent and democratic conditions, went, overall, well. From the outset, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili declared that he was “confident that these elections will be a step forward in consolidating democracy as we will spare no effort to ensure a safe and free environment for our voters”.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) noted in its statement of preliminary findings and conclusions issued on October 3 that: “The 2 October local elections were generally well administered but held against the backdrop of a protracted political crisis and characterized by hardened polarization. Contestants were able to campaign freely in a competitive environment that was, however, marred by widespread and consistent allegations of intimidation, vote buying, pressure on candidates and voters, and an unlevel playing field. The legal framework is generally conducive to democratic elections and preparations for the elections were transparent and professionally managed.”

The elections were well administered, contestants were capable to campaign freely in a competitive environment.

Such a statement helps draw two immediate reflections: first, the elections were well administered, contestants were capable to campaign freely in a competitive environment, the legal framework is, in Georgia, conducive to democratic elections and preparations for elections were transparent and professionally managed. All the conditions or characteristics enumerated above are to be ensured by the government, and, in this case, they were well managed. Organizing countrywide elections is never an easy exercise, albeit during pandemic times like the ones we go through now. On the other side, a hardened polarization and widespread and consistent allegations of intimidation and pressures were made. Moreover, provocations were noted by other international observers present in Tbilisi. And, of course, the former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili decided to return from his Ukrainian exile just in time for elections to, in his own words, galvanize people: “Tomorrow we must — lots of people — get out on the streets and win this election”. A general rule of thumb is that, in democracy, elections are not won on the streets but within the electoral process by voters.

This was on October 1. Saakashvili was arrested the same day as he faced a definitive sentence of six years’ imprisonment on corruption charges and embezzlement. While he considers himself a “political case”, the BBC notes that “the former president has, for the most part, lived in Ukraine since leaving Georgia. He renounced his Georgian citizenship in 2015 when he became governor of Ukraine’s Odessa region. Three years later, a Georgian court convicted him of abusing his office and sentenced him to six years in prison”. That trip back to the past very likely fueled even more polarization in a society that needs much less of it and much more consensus and common ground.

Georgia needs more political stability and not more polarization.

Kelly C. Degnan, U.S. ambassador to Georgia

Her Excellency, U.S. ambassador to Georgia, Kelly C. Degnan, said on October 2: “Talking about yesterday isn’t as important as talking about going forward. We want people to be focused on the election, on the issues. I think Georgia needs more political stability and not more polarization. There are really important issues that this country needs to deal with like jobs and high prices and COVID, education, water, roads. We really hope that after these elections, Georgia’s political leaders are going to get back to work on the issues that are the priorities for the Georgian public. Mr Saakashvili’s case will be a test of the Georgian judicial system, and we’ll be watching to see if the case is handled impartially and in accordance with Georgian law and Georgia’s international obligations. That’s what we would hope to see going forward.”

In other words, a united society, respecting long-held democratic values. And a government continuing to work for its people — focusing on necessary economic, social and legal reforms while developing essential infrastructure, growing the economy, creating more jobs, promoting sound fiscal and monetary policies as well as investing in its people: in their health; education; and, ultimately, their European future. European Council President Charles Michel, tweeted in the same vein: “I commend all Georgians who made their voices heard in the first round of the local elections. Essential that the country’s focus now return to in-depth structural reforms, as set out in the 19 April Agreement, notably in the rule of law and judicial spheres.”

It is now time for the Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and his government to do just that: concentrate on in-depth structural reforms, economic, social and judicial; and continue the commendable work done to benefit the people of Georgia and bring them ever closer to the European Union. They can now do that, as the party of Garibashvili, the Georgian Dream, won an impressive 46.7 percent of votes, which, if confirmed wherever the second round of elections needs to take place on October 30, represents a clear mandate of trust from the people of Georgia.


Source: Politico

Tags: Aid and developmentCharles MichelCitizenshipCorruptionCrisisDemocracyElectionsGeorgiaJudiciaryMikheil SaakashviliRule of LawSecurityStability

Related Posts

Belarus
Belarus

Belarus – Russia’s launchpad into Ukraine

January 25, 2022
Politics

Omicron tidal wave — Remembering David Sassoli — Russia standoff

January 13, 2022
Politics

European Parliament opts to pick new president remotely

January 13, 2022
Politics

Prince Andrew stripped of royal titles amid US sex assault case

January 13, 2022
Politics

5 ways Boris Johnson’s Partygate scandal could play out

January 13, 2022
Politics

British MPs warned about ‘interference’ from suspected Chinese agent

January 13, 2022
Please login to join discussion
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Dutch speed up coronavirus booster campaign, cut waiting time to three months

December 14, 2021

Manchester United – Manchester City live – 6 November 2021

November 6, 2021

Irish couple, 23 and 26, ‘carry out vicious knife attack in Sydney’

October 14, 2021

Woman livestreams fatal stabbing of half-sister

October 25, 2021
Freedom Day

Freedom Day

0
Fire Accident

Fire Accident In Iraq

0
Scotland

Advice from the Scotland Prime Minister

0
Brexiteers

Brexiteers Should Thank The EU

0

Manchester United could be place up for sale as the Glazer relatives request new financial investment – report

November 22, 2022

Lucy Letby demo: Nurse went salsa dancing the night time soon after allegedly attempting to murder toddler, court explained to

November 22, 2022

Observe as Mark Allen performs remarkable 5-cushion escape in German Masters qualifying win

November 22, 2022

Manchester United entrepreneurs to discover sale as Glazers search for new expenditure

November 22, 2022

Recent Posts

Manchester United could be place up for sale as the Glazer relatives request new financial investment – report

November 22, 2022

Lucy Letby demo: Nurse went salsa dancing the night time soon after allegedly attempting to murder toddler, court explained to

November 22, 2022

Observe as Mark Allen performs remarkable 5-cushion escape in German Masters qualifying win

November 22, 2022

Manchester United entrepreneurs to discover sale as Glazers search for new expenditure

November 22, 2022

France – Australia Live – Globe Cup: Soccer Scores & Highlights

November 22, 2022

Loved ones of previous police officer call for help for people facing domestic abuse by serving officers

April 26, 2023

Recent Posts

  • Manchester United could be place up for sale as the Glazer relatives request new financial investment – report
  • Lucy Letby demo: Nurse went salsa dancing the night time soon after allegedly attempting to murder toddler, court explained to
  • Observe as Mark Allen performs remarkable 5-cushion escape in German Masters qualifying win
  • Manchester United entrepreneurs to discover sale as Glazers search for new expenditure
  • France – Australia Live – Globe Cup: Soccer Scores & Highlights

Categories

  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Breaking News
  • Brexiteers
  • Business
  • China
  • COVID Cases
  • Covid-19
  • Cyber security
  • Debt
  • Economics
  • Energy
  • England
  • Fashion
  • Fire Accident
  • Food
  • France
  • Freedom Day
  • Germany
  • Health
  • Human Launch
  • Humanitarian
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • News
  • Norway
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Refugees
  • Russia
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Science
  • Scotland
  • Scotland
  • Spain
  • Spanish-Flu
  • Sports
  • Switzerland
  • Travel
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • Videos
  • Wales
  • Zambia

Site Navigation

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Guest Post
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact Us
Euro News Source

Euro News Source is one of the best sources of European News. We provide the latest news from the European Union and its member states, local and international political, economic and sports news. Follow us to receive all news from around the European Union.

© 2021 Euro News Source.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest News
    • All Europe
    • United Kingdom
      • England
      • Ireland
      • Scotland
      • Wales
    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Austria
    • Belgium
    • Netherlands
    • Switzerland
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Videos

© 2021 Euro News Source.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?