Reflections on Georgian Elections

Telavi

Georgian wine country.  Mountainous, green. After a windy mountain ride, up to almost 2000 meters and down again from Tbilisi, we find ourselves at Chateau Mere, an old castle looking building, functioning vineyard, winery and hotel. The swimming pool, flanked by stone walls with wide open windows, made to look like roman ruins, looks down on the countryside below. I sip my deep red wine, from some of the oldest grape vintages in the world, nibble on my khachapuri, and ruminate about the past several days.

Georgian elections. I don’t even know where to begin, but I feel lucky and honored to have been on the ground for this historical time for Georgia, and to have had the privilege to speak to so many locals, from so many different classes and viewpoints. Most of the reports you will read in the US papers will not be as informed as they could be, as we have been, from taking the time to ask people here what they think. Here is my understanding of the situation.

Sakashvili, the current president. Western educated, has created a political identity and life for the Georgian people distinct from Russia. Has kept his distance from associating with Russia, is not open to economic exchange (oil pipelines going through Georgia to Russia currently closed off), even started the war with Russia in 2008. In many ways, life is better for people here now than it was in the 1990s. This is now a modern country. Reliable electricity, good roads, clean streets, reliable police. Very safe, in that the level of corruption has been moved up to higher reaches of government.  No longer must you bribe the local police officer.  Locals and tourists alike feel safe walking the streets late at night, even leaving their doors unlocked.  In some ways though, he has hurt the economy with his refusal to associate more closely with Russia, who potentially would be a great market for Georgian exports. People here are feeling the bite of the world recession, of fewer jobs. Older people who used to rely on their pensions during the Soviet era no longer have that safety net. Sakashvili has proposed implementing income taxes, a new idea to many, that they do not welcome.  And lastly, there is the prison scandal. Sakashivili came down very hard on crime, and even petty theft landed people in jail. Seems that most people in the country know somebody who has been in jail. And when a few months before the election, videos emerged of extreme maltreatment of Georgian prisoners (think Abu Graib), there was mass public outcry, especially among the youth. Some people claim these videos were fabricated by the opposition to make Sakashvili look bad.  We probably will never know.

Ivanashvili. Emerged from post-Soviet era as one of the top billionaires in the world.  Was previously very reclusive, although funded many initiatives in this country.  Also, interestingly, was  a big supporter of actors and the arts, after there was no longer a USSR to support them anymore. Would like to turn around the economy and continue to push Georgia forward, which mostly means closer economic ties with Russia.  He has created the “Georgian Dream Coalition” essentially a coalition of several parliamentary parties, to come together to overpower the current party in power. Has also gotten several of the actors he was supporting to become the next round of politicians to run for office.  Wants to improve the economy, further eliminate corruption at the upper levels of government. However, many fear his closer ties with Russia will mean he will be under Putin’s control, even if not overtly.  Our hostess this morning at our Tbilisi guesthouse, a middle class female, who has been successful and hardworking in business with her husband, said she is afraid that all the youth supporting Ivanashvili do not remember how hard Georgians fought to get away from the control and influence of Russia, and how life overall is better now than it was before.

Each side we have spoken with has been fair, well thought out, and wanting the best. There are no good answers here.

While overall the elections seem to have been free and fair at the polls, there seem to have been unfair techniques used beforehand, like state television stations unwilling to broadcast views and material of opposition parties, especially affecting access to information for those in the countryside. Our taxi driver even told us yesterday that the buses were running less frequently yesterday, to make it harder for people to make it to the polls.

Yesterday evening, whether based on exit polls or just the feeling of an overall free and fair election, Georgian Dream supporters were dancing and celebrating in the streets. Honking horns, people cheering, music, rallies. Think post-Super Bowl or World Series victories, nothing scary or threatening. The police watched calmly. I have never seen Americans so excited about or involved with politics.

Enough election results came in today to show a solid victory for the Georgian Dream Coalition, or solid enough for Sakashvili to actually concede. I breathe a sigh of relief. Good for him, to let Georgia actually continue to grow as a true democracy. Whether the outcome of the peoples’ choice will truly benefit them is yet to be seen.