Prepared by Messenger Staff
Zourabichvili Publishes Plan for New Elections
In a recent post on social media, Georgia's fifth President, Salome Zourabichvili, outlined a comprehensive plan for new elections aimed at improving the democratic process in the country. The plan includes several key steps to ensure fair, transparent, and inclusive elections.
According to the information shared by Zourabichvili, the plan begins with the establishment of conditions necessary for free and fair elections. This will involve creating a level playing field where all political forces can participate without hindrances. The next step in her plan focuses on preparing an "army" of election commissions and observers, ensuring that elections are monitored closely at every level.
Zourabichvili emphasized the importance of protecting the new elections from fraud and to address this, she highlighted the role of international partners in providing support and oversight, which would help mitigate any risks of electoral malpractice.
Another crucial element of her plan is coordination between various political forces. Zourabichvili believes that open dialogue and cooperation are essential to maintaining political stability and trust during the election process.
The plan also features a unified election program Georgian Charter. This program lays out several key priorities, including the release of political prisoners, the repeal of a controversial Russian law, and the restoration of a fair judicial system.
Freedom House Report: Georgia's Democracy Score Declines
According to the latest report by the international organization Freedom House, Georgia remains classified as a "partly free" country, with a score of 55 out of 100 - a three-point drop from the previous year.
Freedom House assessed Georgia's political rights at 21 out of 40 and civil liberties at 34 out of 60. While the country continues to hold regular, competitive elections and maintains an active media and civil society, significant challenges persist.
The report highlights ongoing oligarchic influence in political processes, noting that opposition figures frequently face physical attacks. Corruption within the government remains a concern, and media freedom is under threat due to intimidation and pressure against journalists.
Additionally, Freedom House points to widespread election-related violence, stating that security forces in Georgia, along with those in ten other countries, employed disproportionate force against protesters.
