Zourabichvili: Upcoming Elections Offer Georgia a Chance to Break Free from One-Party Rule
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, November 13, 2023
In an interview with RFI, President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili remarked that over the 30 years of Georgia's independence, the country has not fully escaped the influence of a one-party system.
According to her, despite having relatively democratic and free elections, there has been a trend of returning to a single-party structure with each new regime, consolidating control over various institutions.
Zourabichvili stated that the upcoming election is an opportunity for Georgia to break free from this pattern and move towards a more democratic model. She emphasized the need for a coalition-based system rather than a single party claiming universal dominance and exclusive power.
"Throughout its 30 years of independence, Georgia has never fully escaped the grip of the one-party system. Despite relatively democratic and free elections, which were generally viewed more positively than negatively, with each successive regime, we found ourselves returning more and more to a single-party structure that extended its control over various institutions. The upcoming elections represent an opportunity to break free from this system and transition to a more democratic model - characterized by a coalition rather than a single party claiming universal dominance and assuming exclusive power," stated Zourabichvili.
The interviewer asked the President of Georgia if she believed Georgia could meet the European Union's expectations. These expectations include the 'Georgian Dream' government stopping the avoidance of sanctions against Russia, adhering to the rule of law, and reducing the influence of powerful oligarchs, including the party's founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili. The question posed by RFI was whether she thinks Georgia can free itself from these forces.
"RFI: The European Union expects the 'Georgian Dream' government to cease circumventing European sanctions against Russia, adhere to the rule of law, and implement deoligarchization - a term referring to powerful oligarch billionaires, notably the former prime minister, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who founded the 'Georgian Dream' party. Do you believe Georgia can liberate itself from such forces?
President Zourabichvili: Yes, yes and we are entering this phase. I believe this has been taken into account by the decision-makers in the Commission. We are now in the pre-election phase, with significant elections scheduled for October 2024.
The status, which we hope to obtain in December, will motivate the population to mobilize for elections instead of packing their suitcases and emigrating. This is a risk of disillusionment in post-Soviet countries like ours, where people may believe there is no hope left.
Now that hope is back, we will prepare, and Europe needs to closely follow with observers, paying special attention and engagement, including economic support, so that everyone feels that we are not alone in this election year." (RFI Interview, [Nov 11, 2023])
