2012 Georgian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on 1 October 2012. The opposition Georgian Dream coalition of billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili won a majority of the seats. President Mikheil Saakashvili conceded his party's defeat.[2]

2012 Georgian parliamentary election
Georgia (country)
← 2008 1 October 2012 2016 →

All 150 seats in Parliament
76 seats needed for a majority
Turnout61.31% (Increase 8.49 pp)[1]
Party Leader % Seats +/–
Georgian Dream Bidzina Ivanishvili 54.97 85 +83
UNM Mikheil Saakashvili 40.34 65 −54
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Map of electoral districts, winners by party-list
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Vano Merabishvili
UNM
Bidzina Ivanishvili
Georgian Dream

The elections were held in accordance with a reformed electoral system agreed upon by the government and several opposition parties in 2011.[3] 77 of the 150 seats were allocated proportionally to party lists, the remaining 73 to the winners in single-member constituencies.[4] The new parliament was relocated from the capital of Tbilisi to the country's second largest city of Kutaisi later, in 2012.[3] A new government was also formed following the 2013 presidential election as envisaged by the 2010 constitutional amendments.[5] South Ossetia and Abkhazia did not vote.

Background edit

Protests edit

In 2009, opposition parties together held protests to demand the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili accusing him of concentrating power to himself, using riot police to crush opposition rallies in 2007. Protests seeking the president's resignation were suppressed once again in 2011.

2010 constitutional amendments edit

According to the amendments to the Constitution of Georgia passed on 15 October 2010, the Parliament elected in 2012 would have to form a new government after the constitutional amendments entered into force upon the inauguration of the next president, who was to be elected in October 2013. The amendments envisaged significant reduction of the powers of President in favor of Prime Minister of Georgia and the government.[5] According to another amendment, passed on 1 July 2011, the parliament elected in 2012 would be permanently relocated from Tbilisi to the country's second largest city of Kutaisi.[3]

2010–2011 electoral reform talks edit

In November 2010, the United National Movement and several opposition parties launched talks in order to develop a new electoral system. On 27 June 2011, the UNM succeeded in getting a majority of the votes for its proposed electoral system reform, effectively splintering the Group of Eight opposition coalition. Two members of the coalition — the Christian-Democratic Movement (CDM), and the New Rights, as well as two other opposition parties – the National-Democratic Party, and On Our Own — signed a deal with the UNM on a reformed electoral system, envisaging, among other provisions, an increase in the number of parliamentary seats up to 190 (83 majoritarian and 107 proportional seats).[6] Six of the former coalition members — National Forum, Our Georgia – Free Democrats (OGFD), Conservative Party, Republican Party, Georgia's Way, and the People's Party — refused to join the deal and unveiled a new alliance on 8 July, though it collapsed on 6 October.[7]

Parties edit

Campaign edit

Democratic Movement – United Georgia, a radical opposition party led by Nino Burjanadze, which had refused to join the electoral reform talks, was behind the May 21–26, 2011 rallies, which ended with a clash with police, leaving four dead.[8]

On 7 October 2011, Bidzina Ivanishvili, a multi-billionaire businessman and philanthropist, who had formerly been on good terms with the authorities, stirred up the political scene of Georgia by unleashing criticism of the Saakashvili government and announcing his intention to establish a political party and to run in the 2012 parliamentary elections.[9] He named the Republican Party, led by David Usupashvili, and Our Georgia – Free Democrats, led by Irakli Alasania, among his future partners.[10] In a written statement, Ivanishvili revealed that, beyond dual Georgian and Russian citizenship, he also had a French passport. As a result, the Georgian civil registry agency ruled his Georgian citizenship had become invalid. According to the law, only Georgian citizens can set up or fund a political party.[11] In May 2012, the parliament voted to allow European Union citizens to become MPs. On 27 May 2012, Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream alliance announced the start of the campaign, drawing tens of thousands of supporters in a large anti-government rally in downtown Tbilisi.[12]

Because Ivanishvili was unsatisfied with the format proposed for the country's public TV broadcaster's election debates on September 9 and September 18, his Georgian Dream coalition refused to take part in them - the country's first such events. Ivanishvili would not debate prime minister Vano Merabishvili and would meet only Mikheil Saakashvili, saying: "I respect Vano, but [debates with him] will not work”.[13][14][15]

Demonstrations edit

After the screening of a video on Maestro TV and Ivanishvili's TV9 channel, showing torture in a Georgian prison, demonstrators called for Saakashvili's resignation. While the video was labeled as having been made by "politically motivated persons," the national prosecutor's office announced the arrests of 10 people, including the head of the Prison No.8 in Tbilisi,[16] two deputies and prison guards. The interior minister, Bacho Akhalaia, resigned, as well as the Corrections and Legal Assistance Minister, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze. Saakashvili said: "Tonight, I tell all the victims of these inhuman actions and the whole nation that the Georgia we have built and we are all building together shall not and will not tolerate such behaviour - in its prisons or anywhere else. Those who committed these crimes will spend long years in jail, as will those who bribed guards to stage these horrors and film them." At a televised meeting later with prime minister Merabishvili, justice minister Zurab Adeishvili, prosecutor-general Murtaz Zodelava and new prisons service chief Giorgi Lortkipanidze,[17] he called for reforms, saying: "This system, the way it is now, should be entirely abolished." It was, he added, "an emergency" and he ordered that patrol police officers should perform prison duties until reforms were enacted.[18]

Foreign support edit

The foreign ministers of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania arrived in Georgia on 17 September in support of the democratic process, political reforms in the country and Georgia's "Euro-Atlantic integration." They were due to meet with President Saakashvili, Speaker of Parliament David Bakradze, Secretary of the National Security Council Giga Bokeria, unnamed opposition figures and the EU's electoral Monitoring Mission. This followed a visit by the foreign ministers of Sweden and Poland the previous week in order to discuss preparations for the election with unnamed national leaders and opposition figures.[19]

Electoral observers edit

The OSCE electoral observer team's Tonino Picula said on 23 August said his organization's monitors "had seen a growing political polarization in the country. They were particularly concerned by the practice of the State Audit Office of using broad discretionary authority to investigate the legality of individual or party spending and making questionable decisions and imposing harsh penalties without clear or transparent guidelines. The fines levied were disproportionate and apparently being applied in a selective manner mainly targeting one political subject".[20] President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Riccardo Migliori added that "there was little part of Leninism in Georgian electoral campaign, rather than presenting programs, they were trying to destroy their enemies."[21][22]

Results edit

 
Winners by constituency
PartyNationalConstituencyTotal
seats
+/–
Votes%SeatsVotes%Seats
Georgian Dream1,181,86254.97441,141,40453.474185+83
United National Movement867,43240.3433869,10940.723265–54
Christian Democratic Union43,8052.04049,0512.3000–6
Georgian Labour Party26,6211.24020,1050.9400–6
New Rights Party9,2550.43014,4340.6800–17
Free Georgia5,8650.27027,8501.3000New
For a Fair Georgia4,0730.1904,2030.2000New
National Democratic Party3,0230.1401,3800.0600New
Georgian Troupe2,3240.1104,1270.1900New
Sportsmen Connection1,5720.070640.0000New
Tavisupleba1,0130.0502120.0100New
Merab Kostava Society9970.0507110.0300New
Future Georgia7010.0309510.0400New
Labour Council5810.0304090.0200New
People's Movement5460.03000New
People's Party5270.02000New
Independents5520.0300New
Total2,150,197100.00772,134,562100.00731500
Registered voters/turnout3,613,8513,613,851
Source: CESKO, Election Passport

Party Vote edit

By region edit

Region Georgian Dream United National Movement
Kakheti 48.05% 47.06%
Guria 58.79% 37.33%
Imereti 57.87% 37.47%
Mtskheta-Mtianeti 62.84% 32.64%
Adjara 57.53% 37.01%
Shida Kartli 51.48% 42.92%
Kvemo Kartli 38.72% 57.05%
Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti 38.61% 55.23%
Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti 46.45% 48.63%
Samtskhe-Javakheti 29.44% 67.03%
Tbilisi 68.27% 27.15%
Source: Election Portal Archived 2013-06-16 at archive.today

By constituency edit

Constituency Turnout GD UNM CDM GLP Others Lead
Mtatsminda 76.90 62.56 33.44 1.04 0.96 2.00 29.12
Vake 72.00 71.79 23.62 1.33 1.02 2.24 48.17
Saburtalo 70.69 70.63 25.06 1.16 1.09 2.06 45.57
Krtsanisi 57.05 58.45 37.67 1.30 1.14 1.44 20.78
Isani 54.95 64.58 31.06 1.65 1.43 1.28 33.52
Samgori 57.39 64.51 30.61 2.21 1.54 1.13 33.90
Chughureti 63.01 68.36 27.07 1.44 1.41 1.72 41.29
Didube 69.56 70.39 25.16 1.31 1.32 1.82 45.23
Nadzaladevi 60.65 72.60 22.84 1.70 1.49 1.37 49.76
Gldani 57.47 70.05 25.40 1.77 1.59 1.19 44.65
Sagarejo 54.00 57.14 39.43 1.42 0.89 1.12 17.71
Gurjaani 67.00 45.03 49.33 2.62 2.00 1.02 4.30
Sighnaghi 66.66 49.07 46.69 1.73 1.41 1.10 2.38
Dedoplistskaro 61.09 49.18 47.20 1.70 1.04 0.88 1.98
Lagodekhi 59.71 39.05 56.14 2.49 1.12 1.20 17.09
Kvareli 68.46 45.92 49.39 2.34 0.97 1.38 3.47
Telavi 60.47 49.37 44.41 3.29 1.54 1.39 4.96
Akhmeta 58.93 51.56 43.86 2.12 1.53 0.93 7.70
Tianeti 66.72 58.56 38.70 0.68 1.25 0.81 19.86
Rustavi 59.97 56.34 38.43 2.29 1.64 1.30 17.91
Gardabani 51.93 41.29 55.50 1.02 0.87 1.32 14.21
Marneuli 43.98 17.42 78.91 1.58 0.20 1.89 61.49
Bolnisi 48.44 29.49 66.99 1.43 0.46 1.63 37.50
Dmanisi 53.47 25.78 69.83 2.01 0.62 1.76 44.05
Tsalka 35.59 28.28 67.82 1.51 0.50 1.89 39.54
Tetritskaro 54.24 50.99 44.74 1.97 0.98 1.32 6.25
Mtskheta 67.47 62.64 33.17 1.42 1.75 1.02 29.47
Dusheti 61.50 63.90 30.31 0.92 3.94 0.93 33.59
Kazbegi 58.66 70.35 27.04 1.45 0.46 0.70 43.31
Kaspi 62.36 56.78 39.49 1.47 1.24 1.02 17.29
Gori 64.24 47.85 46.69 2.60 1.68 1.18 1.16
Kareli 60.96 54.00 40.40 2.75 1.83 1.02 13.60
Khashuri 64.49 58.24 36.17 2.11 1.95 1.53 22.07
Borjomi 65.24 63.33 32.76 1.92 1.05 0.94 30.57
Akhaltsikhe 65.63 21.34 75.04 1.94 0.75 0.93 53.70
Adigeni 69.46 26.66 69.87 1.75 0.59 1.13 43.21
Aspindza 73.25 23.29 71.43 1.91 1.03 2.34 48.14
Akhalkalaki 54.72 21.29 76.54 0.68 0.08 1.41 55.25
Ninotsminda 60.07 17.13 79.59 1.49 0.05 1.74 62.46
Oni 67.25 53.15 42.29 2.36 0.64 1.56 10.86
Ambrolauri 73.87 50.48 44.67 2.21 1.24 1.40 5.81
Tsageri 69.54 40.54 54.07 3.01 1.02 1.36 13.53
Lentekhi 67.22 42.10 53.55 1.69 0.78 1.88 11.45
Mestia 68.97 50.98 43.87 3.73 0.42 1.00 7.11
Kharagauli 74.17 51.20 44.89 2.33 0.67 0.91 6.31
Terjola 70.42 47.47 47.63 2.52 0.99 1.39 0.16
Sachkhere 76.91 93.42 5.65 0.45 0.18 0.30 87.77
Zestafoni 66.66 60.80 35.30 1.75 1.21 0.94 25.50
Baghdati 63.44 49.00 46.22 2.13 1.44 1.21 2.78
Vani 64.36 37.00 58.76 1.55 0.97 1.72 21.76
Samtredia 65.13 54.94 41.42 1.69 0.99 0.96 13.52
Khoni 66.43 47.34 48.56 1.67 0.98 1.45 1.22
Chiatura 65.35 75.05 22.45 1.25 0.56 0.69 52.60
Tkibuli 62.64 46.75 47.60 2.25 1.17 2.23 0.85
Tskaltubo 58.32 41.13 52.07 3.39 1.84 1.57 10.94
Kutaisi 54.80 57.37 36.09 3.40 1.74 1.40 21.28
Ozurgeti 66.67 59.49 36.48 2.17 0.97 0.89 23.01
Lanchkhuti 70.70 61.45 34.89 1.54 0.90 1.22 26.56
Chokhatauri 73.25 52.42 44.18 1.29 0.66 1.45 8.24
Abasha 66.24 37.79 56.66 2.69 1.50 1.36 18.87
Senaki 59.17 37.31 55.88 3.61 1.85 1.35 18.57
Martvili 60.78 40.34 53.50 2.91 1.04 2.21 13.16
Khobi 62.87 37.24 56.46 3.29 1.36 1.65 19.22
Zugdidi 46.29 32.51 61.60 2.67 1.08 2.14 29.09
Tsalenjikha 52.45 31.78 62.61 2.69 1.02 1.90 30.83
Chkhorotsqu 63.98 35.66 57.92 3.00 0.86 2.56 22.26
Poti 58.42 58.60 35.79 2.99 1.24 1.38 22.81
Batumi 59.73 65.37 29.92 1.97 1.16 1.58 35.45
Keda 71.34 44.97 48.14 4.05 0.95 1.89 3.17
Kobuleti 57.54 56.73 38.83 2.35 1.23 0.86 17.90
Shuakhevi 64.39 28.52 61.46 6.39 1.58 2.05 32.94
Khelvachauri 59.56 63.82 30.97 2.72 1.18 1.31 32.85
Khulo 60.85 34.56 58.24 4.03 1.00 2.17 23.68
Abroad N/A 53.43 41.92 1.64 1.04 1.97 11.51
Source: CEC

Constituency Vote edit

District Elected Candidate % Runner-up % Lead
Mtatsminda 1 Zaza Papuashvili (GD) 61.46 Archil Gegenava (UNM) 37.14 24.32
Vake 2 Shalva Shavgulidze (GD) 69.72 Giorgi Karbelashvili (UNM) 25.42 44.30
Saburtalo 3 David Usupashvili (GD) 66.09 Andria Urushadze (UNM) 25.03 41.06
Krtsanisi 4 Shota Khabareli (GD) 57.18 David Sakvarelidze (UNM) 39.34 17.84
Isani 5 Nukri Kantaria (GD) 62.84 Giorgi Vashadze (UNM) 32.92 29.92
Samgori 6 Zurab Abashidze (GD) 64.28 Mikheil Machavariani (UNM) 30.46 33.82
Chugureti 7 Victor Dolidze (GD) 66.94 Andro Alavidze (UNM) 29.58 37.36
Didube 8 Vakhtang Khmaladze (GD) 71.04 Giorgi Chachanidze (UNM) 25.34 45.70
Nadzaladevi 9 Thea Tsulukiani (GD) 72.19 Merab Samadashvili (UNM) 23.94 48.25
Gldani 10 Soso Jachvliani (GD) 68.51 Nikoloz Khachirashvili (UNM) 26.38 42.13
Sagarejo 11 Tina Khidasheli (GD) 54.99 Gia Chalatashvili (UNM) 42.02 12.97
Gurjaani 12 Giorgi Gviniashvili (UNM) 51.29 Manana Berikashvili (GD) 43.60 7.69
Signagi 13 Gela Gelashvili (GD) 49.01 Levan Bezhashvili (UNM) 47.00 2.01
Dedoplistsqaro 14 Zaza Kedelashvili (UNM) 49.67 Aleksandre Tamazashvili (GD) 47.56 2.11
Lagodekhi 15 Giorgi Gozalishvili (UNM) 57.99 Eldar Kurtanidze (GD) 36.95 21.04
Qvareli 16 Marika Verulashvili (UNM) 50.15 Davit Kevkhishvili (GD) 46.08 4.07
Telavi 17 Gela Samkharauli (GD) 47.51 Vasil Davitashvili (UNM) 44.44 3.07
Akhmeta 18 Zurab Zviadauri (GD) 51.05 Petre Tsiskarishvili (UNM) 45.32 5.73
Tianeti 19 Zakaria Kutsnashvili (GD) 59.02 Giorgi Abashvili (UNM) 39.73 19.29
Rustavi 20 Zviad Dzidziguri (GD) 54.16 Mamuka Chikovani (UNM) 41.17 12.99
Gardabani 21 Giorgi Peikrishvili (UNM) 57.26 Mamuka Areshidze (GD) 40.40 16.86
Marneuli 22 Azer Suleimanov (UNM) 79.80 Makhir Darziev (GD) 16.48 63.32
Bolnisi 23 Koba Nakopia (UNM) 67.98 Darejan Chkhetiani (GD) 28.87 39.11
Dmanisi 24 Kakha Okriashvili (UNM) 74.93 Paata Khizanishvili (GD) 22.49 52.44
Tsalka 25 Revaz Shavlokhashvili (UNM) 69.37 Ayk Meltonyan (GD) 21.18 48.19
Tetritsqaro 26 Davit Bezhuashvili (UNM) 47.98 Shalva Khachapuridze (GD) 46.57 1.41
Mtskheta 27 Dimitri Khundadze (GD) 60.59 Andro Kalandadze (UNM) 34.82 25.77
Dusheti 28 Erekle Tripolski (GD) 61.88 Nino Khutsishvili (UNM) 31.31 30.57
Kazbegi 29 Mirian Tsiklauri (GD) 69.16 Gocha Malania (UNM) 28.23 40.93
Kaspi 30 Davit Onoprishvili (GD) 55.16 Kakhaber Khachirashvili (UNM) 40.39 14.77
Gori 31 Soso Vakhtangashvili (GD) 47.43 Giorgi Tatishvili (UNM) 46.19 1.24
Kareli 32 Leri Khabelov (GD) 50.74 Ilia Burjanadze (UNM) 39.65 11.09
Khashuri 33 Valery Gelashvili (GD) 57.75 Sergo Kitiashvili (UNM) 33.61 24.14
Borjomi 34 Gedevan Popkhadze (GD) 58.01 Mamuka Khvedeliani (UNM) 36.54 21.47
Akhaltsikhe 35 Vazha Chitashvili (UNM) 80.37 Guram Kutaladze (GD) 18.03 62.34
Adigeni 36 Zurab Chilingarashvili (UNM) 74.35 Bidzina Gujabidze (GD) 25.65 48.70
Aspindza 37 Tariel Londaridze (UNM) 76.36 Temur Maisuradze (GD) 20.92 55.44
Akhalkalaki 38 Samvel Petrosyan (UNM) 77.70 Norik Karapetyan (GD) 20.13 57.57
Ninotsminda 39 Enzel Mkoyan (UNM) 83.57 Albert Nurbegyan (GD) 14.93 68.64
Oni 40 Tamaz Japaridze (GD) 50.48 Valerian Gavasheli (UNM) 47.22 3.26
Ambrolauri 41 Gocha Enukidze (UNM) 48.11 Davit Darakhvelidze (GD) 46.66 1.45
Tsageri 42 Sergo Khabuliani (UNM) 61.36 Mamuka Chachkhiani (GD) 35.43 25.93
Lentekhi 43 Gogi Liparteliani (UNM) 69.97 Gia Gazdeliani (GD) 27.69 42.28
Mestia 44 Victor Japaridze (GD) 49.73 Kandid Kvitsiani (UNM) 44.70 5.03
Kharagauli 45 Nodar Ebanoidze (GD) 47.82 Mamuka Chkoidze (UNM) 47.15 0.67
Terjola 46 Kakha Butskhrikidze (UNM) 48.78 Zaal Gogsadze (GD) 45.45 3.33
Sachkhere 47 Manana Kobakhidze (GD) 92.71 Zurab Tsertsvadze (UNM) 6.98 85.73
Zestafoni 48 Gogi Kavtaradze (GD) 57.86 Zurab Butskhrikidze (UNM) 37.85 20.01
Baghdati 49 Archil Kbilashvili (GD) 49.30 Temur Kokhodze (UNM) 48.74 0.56
Vani 50 Paata Lezhava (UNM) 59.99 Goderdzi Tkeshelashvili (GD) 36.07 23.92
Samtredia 51 Kakha Kaladze (GD) 53.63 Merab Janelidze (UNM) 43.91 9.72
Khoni 52 Davit Chavchanidze (UNM) 48.75 Nikoloz Sanodze (GD) 46.90 1.85
Chiatura 53 Malkhaz Tsereteli (GD) 71.15 Prokop Chikviladze (UNM) 27.07 44.08
Tkibuli 54 Eliso Chapidze (GD) 52.03 Pavle Kublashvili (UNM) 45.26 6.77
Tsqaltubo 55 Akaki Bobokhidze (UNM) 51.64 Paata Zakareishvili (GD) 40.86 10.78
Kutaisi 56 Gubaz Sanikidze (GD) 54.23 Giorgi Tevdoradze (UNM) 36.89 17.34
Ozurgeti 57 Zviad Kvachantiradze (GD) 58.29 Ramaz Nikolaishvili (UNM) 37.50 20.79
Lanchkhuti 58 Temur Chkhaidze (GD) 62.28 Giorgi Goguadze (UNM) 36.58 25.70
Chokhatauri 59 Temur Tchkuaseli (GD) 51.19 Manana Jincharadze (UNM) 46.77 4.42
Abasha 60 Davit Dartsmelidze (UNM) 58.12 Irakli Sabulua (GD) 36.38 21.74
Martvili 61 Nauli Janashia (UNM) 52.95 Miriane Odisharia (GD) 34.96 17.99
Senaki 62 Guram Misabishvili (UNM) 58.53 Murtaz Khurtsilava (GD) 38.28 20.25
Khobi 63 Goderdzi Bukia (UNM) 56.08 Giga Bukia (GD) 35.67 20.41
Zugdidi 64 Roland Akhalaia (UNM) 57.27 Irakli Alasania (GD) 36.01 21.26
Tsalenjikha 65 Levan Kardava (UNM) 64.10 Giorgi Nachkebia (GD) 29.64 34.46
Ckhorotsqu 66 Vakhtang Lemonjava (UNM) 59.46 Levan Izoria (GD) 37.17 22.29
Poti 67 Eka Beselia (GD) 57.23 Tengiz Sarishvili (UNM) 36.81 20.42
Batumi 68 Murman Dumbadze (GD) 63.29 Giorgi Baramidze (UNM) 31.29 32.00
Keda 69 Iasha Shervashidze (UNM) 48.14 Davit Ananidze (GD) 44.44 3.70
Kobuleti 70 Pati Khalvashi (GD) 55.42 Gela Tskhomelidze (UNM) 39.64 15.78
Shuakhevi 71 Omar Megrelidze (UNM) 62.58 Shota Zoidze (GD) 26.72 35.86
Khelvachauri 72 Rostom Khalvashi (GD) 63.49 Teimuraz Dumbadze (UNM) 30.96 32.53
Khulo 73 Anzor Bolkvadze (UNM) 57.93 Zia Saginadze (GD) 32.66 25.27

Reactions edit

On the day after the elections, President Saakashvili conceded that his United National Movement had been defeated. He announced that power would be transferred to a new government formed by the victorious Georgian Dream coalition.[23] Georgian Dream leader Ivanishvili called on the president to resign to avoid a "sort of dual power situation,"[24] but took back this demand on the day after. The opposition coalition formed a three-person working group to consult with the outgoing executives over a smooth shift of power.[25] On 4 October, the UNM formed a four-member team to negotiate with the incoming parliamentary majority.[26]

Georgian Dream activists gathered in front of some District Election Commissions in constituencies where UNM candidates were leading, according to official preliminary results. The chairman of the Central Election Commission, Zurab Kharatishvili, complained that electoral commissioners had been intimidated. Prominent Georgian Dream politician Irakli Alasania claimed there had been manipulations in some precincts.[27] Representatives of the joint opposition list challenged the official figures and asserted that Georgian Dream had won more seats than announced by the Electoral Commission.[28] However, on 4 October Ivanishvili prompted his supporters to halt their protests in front of District Election Commissions.[29]

International edit

  Russia - Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on the day after the elections that "information on results of the elections demonstrates the people of that country are looking for changes. If those results become a reality – Georgia’s political landscape will be more versatile. This is only positive, as, most likely, this means more constructive and responsible forces will appear in the parliament. United Russia, being the leading political force in Russia, is ready for a dialogue on future of the Russia-Georgia relations".[30]

Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said "I hope for constructive changes to let us normalise the relations. We will be judging not by statements, but by deeds”. At the same time, he warned Georgia’s new ruling power that Russia was not going to hold any negotiations on the law on "occupied territories", which Georgia adopted following the 2008 South Ossetia war. Lukashevich said that Russia would refer to the "Republic of Abkhazia" and "Republic of Ossetia" and not use the term "occupied territories".[30]

Chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on the CIS and compatriots Leonid Slutsky said "Georgia’s parliament will be managed by people, who oppose the present regime of Mikheil Saakashvili, and there is hope of a positive element in relations between Russia and Georgia."[30]

References edit

  1. ^ Results 2012. Central Election Commission
  2. ^ Antidze, Margarita; Gutterman, Steve (2 October 2012), Georgia's president accepts his party lost poll, Reuters
  3. ^ a b c "Saakashvili Clarifies Position on Parliament Relocation Issue". Civil. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  4. ^ Antidze, Margarita; Gutterman, Steve (1 October 2012), Georgian opposition celebrates as both sides see victory, Reuters
  5. ^ a b "Key Points of Newly Adopted Constitution". Civil. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  6. ^ New Electoral System Outlined. Civil Georgia. 27 June 2010.
  7. ^ Coalition of Six Opposition Parties Collapses. Civil Georgia. 6 October 2011.
  8. ^ "Protests in Georgia: On Rustaveli Avenue". The Economist. 4 June 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  9. ^ Billionaire Outlines Political Goals. Civil Georgia. October 7, 2011.
  10. ^ "Ivanishvili Speaks of His Planned Political Party". Civil Georgia. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  11. ^ "Saakashvili foe Ivanishvili loses Georgian citizenship". BBC. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Mass opposition rally in Tbilisi, Georgia". BBC. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  13. ^ No Agreement on TV Debates, Civil Georgia, 21 August 2012.Retrieved: 14 January 2013
  14. ^ Georgian Dream Snubs Planned TV Debates on Public Broadcaster, Civil Georgia, 31 August 2012 Retrieved: 14 January 2013
  15. ^ Merabishvili, Natelashvili, Targamadze in TV Debates, Snubbed by Ivanishvili, Civil Georgia, 10 September 2012.Retrieved: 14 January 2013
  16. ^ Saakashvili's Statement on Inmates' Abuse Videos, Civil Georgia, 19 September 2012.Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  17. ^ Saakashvili Tasks PM Merabishvili to Oversee Prison System Reform, Civil Georgia, 19 September 2012.Retrieved: 14 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Georgia prison abuse film sparks protests - Europe". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  19. ^ "Five Foreign Ministers Arrive in Georgia from EU Countries Due to Elections". Turkish Weekly. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 1 August 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
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