Georgia

July 2005 | Risk Summary

Parliament has passed a government-backed bill amending the election procedures for the Tbilisi city council and mayor. The new rules will introduce a 'winner-takes-all' vote in each of the capital's 10 constituencies. The mayor would then be elected by the council. The main opposition parties claim the change will lead to a 'one party dictatorship' in Tbilisi, and have threatened to boycott the local elections in autumn 2006. International NGOs have also criticised what they call a 'politically motivated' move. These developments are worrying, especially as they appear to contradict the democratic values that characterised the revolutionary change in government

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