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Georgia - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

GOVERNMENT Georgia has been a democratic republic since the presidential elections and constitutional referendum of October 1995. The President is elected for a term of 5 years, limited to 2 terms; his constitutional successor is the Speaker of Parliament. Parliamentary elections on November 2, 2003 were marred by irregularities and fraud according to local and international observers. Popular demonstrations ensued in the streets of Tbilisi; protestors carried roses in their hands and these peaceful protests became known as the Rose Revolution. Former President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned on November 23, 2003, and the Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze assumed the role of Interim President. President Mikheil Saakashvili was elected to a 5-year term in January 2004. Parliamentary elections were re-held in March 2004 and President Saakashvili's party, National Movement, combined with Speaker Burjanadze's party, the Burjanadze-Democrats, won the majority of seats. On May 24, 2005, the Parliament passed legislation to decentralize power from the central government in Tbilisi to local government authorities in the regions. Elections were held on October 5, 2006 to elect 1,732 members of 69 local councils and seven city governments. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2008. Principal Government Officials President -- Mikheil Saakashvili Prime Minister -- Zurab Noghaideli Speaker of Parliament -- Nino Burjanadze Foreign Minister -- Gela Bezhuashvilii Defense Minister -- David Kezerashvili Interior Minister -- Vano Merabishvili State Minister of Georgia for Conflict Resolution -- David Bakradze Ambassador to the United States -- Vasil Sikharulidze Georgia maintains an embassy in the United States at 2209 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 387-2390, fax (202) 393-4537.