Steady State

Democratization

June 18th, 2008 by jibs

Georgia’s public defender evaluated the recent parliamentarian elections in Georgia as the “worst in the country’s history”. Unlike previous falsifications, this time the state resources were directed at intimidating, blackmailing or bribing the voters — says Sozar Subari in an interview with the Georgian newspaper Asaval-dasavali.

The international organizations observing the elections, of course, noticed progress, albeit “uneven implementation” of previous recommendations. Some careful diplomatic jumba-jamba, some pretending not to have seen things, and Georgia is a democracy — in a special category. Other countries praised Georgia for conducting the elections in a peaceful manner(?). It could mean, for example, no acts of cannibalism took place at the polling stations.

As a result, the champions of Rose Revolution — an event symbolizing the “real” democratic revolution in the country — are proudly representing the bribed, blackmailed or intimidated populations’ interest with well over 80% in the parliament. What does the “population” know about the country’s interests?

Protests, mass demonstrations, hunger strikes did not help. With a stroke of good luck and “surprising support form the population” things just turned out the right way for the authorities.

In the meantime, US department noted “lack of credible opposition” in Georgia. During both elections in Georgia, unprecedented number of people demonstrated against the authorities. During the presidential elections marred with “irregularities”, the opposition candidates together got a little less than 50% of votes.

Yet, there is no credible opposition — maybe finding one would help… what a coincidence — the former parliament chairwoman and ruling party guru Nino Burjanadze is establishing a “Democracy Foundation”. Maybe she could be the credible, constructive and cooperative opposition (at least in public, for the democracy’s sake).

… And you get a democracy decorated with opposition, parliament and even media. Success story.

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