Following disputed municipal elections in May 2010, Georgia embarked on a new wave of democratization that culminated in extensive constitutional reforms aimed at shifting power from the presidency to the parliament. Irakli Alasania, Georgia’s former ambassador to the United Nations and founder of the Our Georgia—Free Democrats Party, discussed the challenges and opportunities facing Georgia. He was joined by Cory Welt of the George Washington University and Carnegie’s Thomas de Waal.
While the run-up to the recent municipal elections sparked unprecedented public debate between candidates and their constituents, much work remains to be done to promote free and fair elections in Georgia, Alasania asserted. Opposition parties and their supporters faced a number of constraints during the electoral campaign, including:
The fragmented Georgian opposition is now attempting to overcome its differences and form a coalition comprised of representatives from eight non-parliamentary opposition parties. Alasania explained that the opposition parties hope to use this new platform to coordinate their joint activities and engage in a meaningful dialogue with the ruling party on electoral reform in the first instance.
Alasania praised the Obama administration’s foreign policy toward Georgia, which emphasizes building and developing democratic institutions in Georgia, arguing that a strong U.S.-Georgia partnership is the main guarantee for Georgia’s security. The reset in U.S.-Russia relations should also make Russia more willing to work with Georgia to resolve the dispute over the political status of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
While Georgia’s reunification with Abkhazia and South Ossetia is far from imminent, Alasania underscored the importance of initiating dialogue with both autonomous territories. An increased international presence in the occupied territories will help to create the necessary security and trust to engage in such dialogue. Finally, he argued that significant and rapid economic reforms would make Georgia more attractive to both Abkhazia and South Ossetia and potentially accelerate the resumption of the dialogue.
Widespread public debate on Georgia’s political future should be seen as an indicator of sustained civil efforts to foster a new political culture, Alasania contended. Yet numerous problems—including the constant security threat posed by Russia and the volatile environment of the Georgian economy—continue to threaten the country’s stability. Close partnerships with the United States and the EU are critical for Georgia to achieve democratic and economic prosperity, concluded Alasania.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili’s central role in the country’s governance may leave Georgia ill-equipped to handle the growing economic challenges ahead.
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