Georgian local elections, 2006
Encyclopedia
Local elections were held in Georgia
on October 5, 2006. The elections follow a decree
issued on August 26 by President of Georgia
Mikheil Saakashvili
, setting the date for the local ballot.
This vote is considered to be the first major test of the authorities commitment to a transparent process in non-revolutionary circumstances. In addition they will demonstrate the level of public confidence in both the NMD - after a series of scandals
- and the opposition, which has begun to strengthen and reorganise
in the past year.
The elections coincided with an extremely tense period of relations
with Russia
. After a major diplomatic row regarding alleged Russian spying, the Kremlin
has severed all transport and post links with Georgia.
Elections were boycotted by some opposition parties, particularly by New Rights Party
because of President Saakashvili referred to an unprecedented manipulation with fix a date of elections, thus ridding the opposition parties of the time to prepare and launch their election campaigns; United National Movement (ruling party) has been conducting its active election campaign since Spring 2006 without any restraints or control; the government agencies exerted pressure on the personnel working in the budgetary sector on a regular basis in order to the able control their choice on the Election Day.
According to preliminary results, the elections were won by the United National Movement led by President Saakashvili with an overwhelming majority. The predominantly Armenian-populated city of Akhalkalaki
was the only municipality where an opposition grouping, the Industry Will Save Georgia
Party, won a majority of votes. According to international observers, particularly the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
, the "municipal elections in Georgia were conducted with general respect for fundamental freedoms; however, the blurred distinction between the ruling authorities and the leading party reinforced the advantage of the incumbents".
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
on October 5, 2006. The elections follow a decree
Decree
A decree is a rule of law issued by a head of state , according to certain procedures . It has the force of law...
issued on August 26 by President of Georgia
President of Georgia
The President of Georgia is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Government of Georgia. Executive power is split between the President and the Prime Minister, who is the head of government...
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
, setting the date for the local ballot.
This vote is considered to be the first major test of the authorities commitment to a transparent process in non-revolutionary circumstances. In addition they will demonstrate the level of public confidence in both the NMD - after a series of scandals
Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case
The Sandro Girgvliani Murder Case is one of the most notorious criminal cases in the modern history of Georgia. The killing, and the events as a result of it, have generated heavy criticism of the current government, particularly the interior minister, and the extent to which reformist President...
- and the opposition, which has begun to strengthen and reorganise
Georgia's Way
Georgia's Way is a political party in Georgia. It was registered on March 11, 2006. The chairman of the party was former Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili, who was sacked by Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli in October 2005. On November 12, 2010 Zourabichvili announced her resignation...
in the past year.
The elections coincided with an extremely tense period of relations
2006 Georgian-Russian espionage controversy
The 2006 Georgian–Russian espionage controversy began when the Government of Georgia arrested four Russian officers on charges of espionage, on September 27, 2006...
with Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. After a major diplomatic row regarding alleged Russian spying, the Kremlin
Kremlin
A kremlin , same root as in kremen is a major fortified central complex found in historic Russian cities. This word is often used to refer to the best-known one, the Moscow Kremlin, or metonymically to the government that is based there...
has severed all transport and post links with Georgia.
Elections were boycotted by some opposition parties, particularly by New Rights Party
New Right (Georgia)
The New Rights Party of Georgia , also translated as New Conservative Party is a liberal conservative party in Georgia...
because of President Saakashvili referred to an unprecedented manipulation with fix a date of elections, thus ridding the opposition parties of the time to prepare and launch their election campaigns; United National Movement (ruling party) has been conducting its active election campaign since Spring 2006 without any restraints or control; the government agencies exerted pressure on the personnel working in the budgetary sector on a regular basis in order to the able control their choice on the Election Day.
According to preliminary results, the elections were won by the United National Movement led by President Saakashvili with an overwhelming majority. The predominantly Armenian-populated city of Akhalkalaki
Akhalkalaki
Akhalkalaki is a small city in Georgia's southern region of Samtskhe-Javakheti with a population of 60,975. Akhalkalaki lies on the edge of the Javakheti Volcanic Plateau. The city is located about 30 km from the border with Turkey. 90 percent of the city's population are ethnic Armenians...
was the only municipality where an opposition grouping, the Industry Will Save Georgia
Industry will save Georgia
The Industry Will Save Georgia is a conservative political party in Georgia....
Party, won a majority of votes. According to international observers, particularly the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, the "municipal elections in Georgia were conducted with general respect for fundamental freedoms; however, the blurred distinction between the ruling authorities and the leading party reinforced the advantage of the incumbents".
See also
- Elections in Georgia (country)Elections in Georgia (country)Elections in Georgia gives information on elections and election results in Georgia. An election is a process in which a vote is held to elect candidates to an office...
- Electoral calendar 2006Electoral calendar 2006This electoral calendar 2006 lists the national/federal direct elections held in 2006 in the de jure and de facto sovereign states and their dependent territories. Referendums are included, although they are not elections...
- Georgian legislative election, 2004
- Georgian presidential election, 2004