Pre-election employment

Independent analysts say it difficult to tell if the new student employment program created by the government this summer is a pre-election PR stunt or not. The government is currently employing 25,000 students this summer, with each student receiving 500 GEL. Mass government hiring of students is a tactic that has been used before by the National Movement in the run up to elections. Not all university students are involved in the program and some students complain that preferences are given for those students who support the ruling party. Students who support the political opposition have often not been hired and deprived of much-needed income.