euro|topics - Early presidential elections in Georgia

05/07/2009

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Main focus of Friday, November 9, 2007

Early presidential elections in Georgia

Following mass protests and the declaration of a state of emergency, Georgia's President Michail Saakashvili has surprised the world by announcing early elections for 5 January 2008. He explained the move saying he wished to comply with the opposition's demands for parliamentary elections in April. But what's the real motivation behind his decision?

Der Standard - Austria

"Unfortunately, we're seldom allowed to choose our revolutionaries," comments Markus Bernath on the Georgian president's conduct. "With his virtually indefensible declaration of a state of emergency, Saakashvili has put an end to the 'Rose Revolution' of November 2003. And what's more, 'Misha', as the Georgians have ironically nicknamed their young president, has proved to be a total loss when it comes to democracy. ... By calling early presidential elections in two months' time, Saakashvili is trying to re-affirm his power. The opposition had other ideas: early parliamentary elections in April to bolster the legislature. Saakashvili is now trying to turn the tables on the opposition. This is how autocrats force their way to power." (09/11/2007)

Postimees - Estonia

Estonia, which since the Rose Revolution in 1993 has demonstrated great commitment in the West to the cause of Georgia, is disappointed that President Michail Saakashvili has declared a state of emergency. But according to the newspaper, the announcement of new elections is also a sign that Georgia could be on the right path. "Unarmed demonstrations should never be used as an excuse for restrictions on freedom of opinion or for calling a state of emergency. Even if Russia is behind the unrest, as the Georgian government claims, Georgia should not let itself be so easily provoked. The Kremlin is the only place where the clashes of November 7 will have been greeted with delight, because now Georgia has lost much of its credibility in its bid for NATO membership." (09/11/2007)

Financial Times - United Kingdom

"Mr Saakashvili's decision to call early presidential elections in January is a move to call the bluff of the opposition, which is disorganised and divided, and boasts no comparable figure to challenge him. But he has nonetheless seen his personal popularity slump from more than 90 % to below 40 % since the Rose Revolution", notes Quentin Peel. "On the one hand, he is accused by opposition leaders of autocratic behaviour and a failure to heed criticism. On the other, he has ridden roughshod over the sensitivities of the older Soviet-educated generation, creating a generational gulf between his own team of young technocrats and those in their middle age.The other cause of increasing restiveness in the population has been the failure of rapid economic growth to be translated into jobs and better wages for most people. Moreover, those who survived for decades by cheating the Soviet system have seen their means of existence, in effect, wiped out." (08/11/2007)

die tageszeitung - Germany

Klaus-Helge Donath examines the position of the opposition in Georgia: "The tragedy of the situation is that although the opposition has temporarily taken control of the streets, it lacks charismatic leaders to take the helm. If Saakashvili falls, the opposition will end up totally divided. The ex-Defence Minister Irakli Okrashvili, who got the protest going and sees himself as the successor, would be an even greater disaster for Georgia. Not only is he a hothead, he's also someone who lashes out." (09/11/2007)

» To the complete press review of Friday, November 9, 2007

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