Georgia: Parliamentary Elections Could Heighten Instability and Pressure Sovereign’s Ratings
Politics tamfitronics Georgia’s Political Situation Looks Precarious Ahead of the ElectionsAs Georgia approaches its parliamentary elections on 26 October, the political landscape remains precarious. The elections follow large-scale demonstrations during and after the passing in June of a Russian-inspired “foreign agents law”, which enforced stricter controls on international and specifically pro-western civic organisations ahead of the elections.This year’s elections are decisive given Geogia’s transition to a fully parliamentary system. The presidency, until this year directly elected and currently held by the pro-European Salomé Zourabichvili, will late this year be chosen by an electoral college composed of members of the next parliament alongside local and regional authorities. If parliament remains under the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, the presidency may change hands, doubling the stakes for the pro-EU majority of the electorate.Opinion polls suggest that GD...
