
Political Party System
As to January 2005 there are 182 political parties on record in Georgia. Most of them are not of considerable political weight, forming major political leaders centered groups.
The threshold of entering the Parliament is rather high in Georgia, having been raised from 4 to 7%. That drives small parties to associate with larger ones and to form interim coalitions for the period of elections, which usually come apart right away the allies come in.
Despite the large number of political organizations “The National Movement Democratic Front” dominates on the political scene, backing President Mikheil Saakashvili, who took the office in the course of the Rose revolution.
Collapse of Shevardnadze backing parties was the other result of the Rose revolution. “The Union of Citizens” backing Shevardnadze, as well as “The Democratic Revival Union” backing Aslan Abashidze, former leader of Ajaria Autonomy, practically ceased to exist now.
The Parliament elections of March 28, 2004 gave the evidence of the changes in the political landscape: since the Georgian officials rejected the European Council recommendations on reducing the threshold of entering the Parliament, the only party except that in power to come in was “The Rightist Opposition – Industrialists, New Right” bloc .
Main Political Parties of Georgia:
NATIONAL MOVEMENT DEMOCRATIC FRONT
INDUSTRY WILL SAVE GEORGIA
NEW RIGHT PARTY
LABOR PARTY
CONSERVATIVE PARTY
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Official Site
Parliament of Georgia - www.parliament.ge
Shortly after the arrest of ex-Defence Minister Irakli Okruashvili on September 27, 2007, ten opposition parties formed the National Council of Unified Public Movement. Members of the Movement call for holding the parliamentary elections in April 2008, instead of late 2008.
The parties involved in the movement:
- Republican Party – leader Davit Usupashvili;
- Conservative Party – leaders Kakha Kukava, Zviad Dzidziguri;
- Georgia's Way – leader Salome Zourabichvili, ex-foreign minister;
- Freedom – Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, son of Georgia's late President Zviad Gamsakhurdia;
- On Our Own – leader Paata Davitaia (party mainly focusing on the Abkhaz issues and targeting displaced persons);
- Party of People – leader Koba Davitashvili;
- Movement for United Georgia – party was formed by ex-defense minister, Irakli Okruashvili, who has quit the politics;
- Georgian Troupe – leader Jondi Bagaturia;
- Labor Party – leader Shalva Natelashvili;
- National Forum – leader Kakha Shartava.
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