The results of the
parliamentary elections of 1 October 2012 means Georgia will have a multi-party parliament, boosting
democracy in the nation, observers say.
The vote is also a reflection of how the people feel about Saakashvili. He took power in 2004 after the Rose Revolution, the name given to widespread protests over disputed parliamentary elections. Saakashvili is credited with have changed the country by moving toward integration with the West, with steps such as seeking membership in the European Union and NATO. He also revamped the nation's economy, retooling it to reflect a free market system.But critics said that underneath, his government was dominated by Soviet-style "administrative measures." Mr Saakashvili will remain in power until presidential elections next year. However, under agreed reforms the parliament and prime minister will acquire greater powers than the president after that election.
The vote is also a reflection of how the people feel about Saakashvili. He took power in 2004 after the Rose Revolution, the name given to widespread protests over disputed parliamentary elections. Saakashvili is credited with have changed the country by moving toward integration with the West, with steps such as seeking membership in the European Union and NATO. He also revamped the nation's economy, retooling it to reflect a free market system.But critics said that underneath, his government was dominated by Soviet-style "administrative measures." Mr Saakashvili will remain in power until presidential elections next year. However, under agreed reforms the parliament and prime minister will acquire greater powers than the president after that election.
Saakashvili conceded his
party's loss to the coalition headed by billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Georgian Dream.
Main parties in the electoral race:
- Party: United National Movement (UNM) / ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა , Ertiani Natsionaluri Modzraoba
Leader: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI
Seats won in last election: 130 - Coalition: Georgian Dream / ქართული ოცნება–დემოკრატიული საქართველო, k'art'uli ots'neba–demokratiuli sak'art'velo**
Leader: Bidzina IVANISHVILI
Seats won in last election: N/A - Party: Christian Democratic Movement (CDM) / ქრისტიანულ-დემოკრატიული მოძრაობა, k’ristianul-demokratiuli modzraoba (KDM)
Leader: Giorgi TARGAMADZE
Seats won in last election: 6
** The Georgian Dream Coalition consists of Our Georgia-Free Democrats, the Republican Party, National Forum, the Conservative Party and Industry Will Save Georgia and the Georgian Dream political party itself.
