As Georgia’s parliamentary (October 2012) and presidential elections (2013) approach, many consider that their conduct and results will be critical indicators of Georgia’s democratic progress. President Mikheil Saakashvili‘s decision to appoint the powerful minister of internal affairs, Ivane (Vano) Merabishvili, to the position of prime minister triggered widespread speculation. Some believe that this move indicates Saakashvili’s intent to step away from politics when his term in office ends in 2013. Some view it as a fierce pre-election move in the ongoing battle with opposition leader Bidzina Ivanishvili, who heads the Georgian Dream political coalition. While the political temperature continues to increase prior to elections, Georgia’s long-term security and prosperity depend in large part on the quality of its democracy. This memo attempts to analyze current challenges in Georgian party politics during this important period. […]
