Georgians Re-Elect President Saakashvili

The people of the former Soviet republic of Georgia have re-elected their president, Mikhail Saakashvili, with about 52.8% of the vote. This simple majority is sufficient to avoid a run-off. The international observers noted a few violations of electoral proprietary but have blessed the result. All the same, the opposition claims the election was rigged, and they will make the next month or so interesting in the worst sense of the word.

Mr. Saakashvili is a 40-year-old American-educated lawyer and a former municipal chief of the capital city of Tbilisi, who rode the “rose Revolution” to power. This occurred in 2003 when street protesters ousted President, and former Soviet Foreign Minister, Eduard Shevardnadze. He won 90+% of the vote that followed the revolution, ratifying his platform of reform, democratization and economy liberalism.

However, rooting out corruption always annoys someone, and there is a temptation to be a bit heavy-handed in cleaning up a country. Also, his pro-western attitude upset Russia, and there are some Georgians (mostly of Russian ethnicity) who are pro-Moscow. The result was a rise in support for the opposition, and the street protests.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitored this election. It reported that the election was fair but that there were also “significant challenges,” such as “widespread allegations of intimidation and pressure, a number of which were substantiated.” As part of the OSCE monitors, American Congressman Alcee Hastings stated, “Democracy took a triumphant step because of the demonstrative competitiveness of this campaign. I perceive this election as a viable expression of free choice of the Georgian people, but the future holds immense challenges.” Had he not been impeached as a federal judge and removed from the bench one might take him seriously.

Levan Gachechiladze, the second-place finisher, is having none of it. He stated, “We don't believe their figures. We have our own information.” He added, “Mikhail Saakashvili, you cannot defeat the Georgian people.” Protests throughout the week are inevitable. How violent they get will largely determine the future of Georgia’s fragile stability.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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