Refusal from reform complicates Georgia's relations with international partners

The failure with the promise to reform the electoral system by the next parliamentary elections has undermined the trust in the "Georgian Dream" Party of some Georgia's international partners, on whom the country's welfare depends, analysts have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since November 14, Tbilisi has been the venue of protest actions held by those dissatisfied with the failure of the parliamentary vote for the draft to change the electoral system. On November 18, law enforcers dispersed the protesters by using a water cannon and tear gas; four persons suffered. However, protests continued.

As a result of the refusal to change the electoral system, the reputation of the authorities has suffered not only in the eyes of the local society and the opposition, but also in the eyes of international partners, said Mamuka Zhgenti, an expert at the Georgian Institute of European Values. "The country's welfare depends on the degree of confidence of its international partners and their approval of the reforms carried out by Georgia. Despite this, the authorities went all-in; they used force and demonstrate that they are ready to do anything to preserve their power," Mr Zhgenti has stated.

The failure to amend the Constitution and the subsequent refusal of the "Georgian Dream" to attempt to drive the decision through the parliament have undermined the credibility of the authorities both within the country and among their international partners, Valery Chechelashvili, the head of the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, has agreed. "Super efforts will be needed to restore the damaged trust. I don't know if the 'Georgian Dream' is ready for them," Mr Chechelashvili told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 23, 2019 at 09:02 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.