Politics of the Republic of Georgia by Levan Urushadze

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Republic of Georgia (Sakartvelos Respublika in Georgian) has been a democratic, independent republic since the first democratic multiparty Parliamentary Elections of October 28, 1990, the first Presidential Elections of May 26, 1991 and referendum of March 31, 1991. The President is elected for a term of 5 years; his constitutional successor is the Chairman of the Parliament.

The Georgian state is highly centralized, except for the autonomous regions of Abkhazia and Ajara, which are to be given special autonomous status once Georgia's territorial integrity is restored. Those regions were subjects of special autonomies during Soviet rule and the legacy of that influence remains. In most locations local elections took place on November 15, 1998, marking the first elections under the 1995 constitution. Candidates from 11 political parties and two political blocks presented candidates.

The Abkhaz separatist dispute absorbs much of the government's attention. While a cease-fire is in effect, about 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were driven from their homes during the conflict constitute a vocal lobby. The government has offered the region considerable autonomy in order to encourage a settlement that would allow the IDPs, the majority of whom are ethnic Georgians from the Gali region, to return home, but the Abkhaz insist on virtual independence.

Currently, Russian "peacekeepers", under the authority of the Commonwealth of Independent States, are stationed in Abkhazia, along with UN observers, but both groups have recently had to restrict their activities due to increased mining and guerrilla activity. Negotiations have not resulted in movement toward a settlement. Working with France, U.K., Germany, and Russia and through the United Nations and the OSCE, the U.S. continues to encourage a comprehensive settlement consistent with Georgian independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The UN observer force and other organizations are quietly encouraging grassroots cooperative and confidence-building measures in the region.

The parliament has instituted wideranging political reforms supportive of higher Human Rights standards, but problems persist, largely as a result of the unwillingness of certain law enforcement and criminal justice officials to support constitutionally mandated changes. Mistreatment of detainees is a significant and continuing problem, as is corruption within certain state agencies and monopolies. In 1998, increased citizen awareness of civil rights and democratic values has provided an increasingly effective check on the excesses of law enforcement agencies.

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Georgia
conventional short form: Georgia
local long form: Sakartvelos Respublika
local short form: Sakartvelo

Government type: republic

Capital: Tbilisi

Administrative divisions: Georgia is divided into 53 rayons (raionebi, singular - raioni), 12 cities* (kalakebi, singular - kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics: Abashi, Abkhazia or Apkhazetis Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Sokhumi), Adigenis, Ajara or Ajaris Avtonomiuri Respublika** (Batumi), Akhalgori, khalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe, Akhmeta, Ambrolauri, Aspindza, Baghdati, Bolnisi, Borjomi, Chiatura*, Chkhorotsku, Chokhatauri, Dedoplistskaro, Dmanisi, Dusheti, Gardabani, Gori*, Gurjaani, Java, Kareli, Kaspi, Kharagauli, Khashuri, Khobi, Khoni, Kutaisi*, Lagodekhi, Lanchkhuti, Lentekhi, Marneuli, Martvili, Mestia, Mtskheta, Ninotsminda, Oni, Ozurgeti, Poti*, Kazbegi, Kvareli, Rustavi*, Sachkhere, Sagarejo, Samtredia, Senaki, Signagi, Tbilisi*, Telavi, Terjola, Tetritskaro, Tianeti, Tkibuli*, Tsageri, Tsalenjikha, Tsalka, Tskaltubo*, Vani, Zestaponi, Zugdidi*
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)