Page 11 - bne IntelliNews George country report Sept 2017

2.4 Georgia divided ahead of October local election, says NDI
A mission from US-based think tank the National Democratic Institute (NDI) visited Georgia in mid-July to conduct an assessment ahead of the October local elections .
The mission found that there are "two divergent Georgias", the dichotomy of which could undermine trust in the political process. On the one hand the country has a vibrant political landscape and overwhelming support for a democratic future, amidst other accomplishments. The ruling Georgian Dream party espouses the view that the country is a democratic haven with an unbiased justice system, quickly expanding economy, free media and reforms reflecting broad input.
On the other hand, the majority of NDI's informants characterised the state of affairs in Georgia as a calculated consolidation of power on behalf of the ruling party, uneven and politicised application of the law, reforms meant to benefit the ruling party, shrinking media space for alternative viewpoints, informal governance and abuse of state resources, particularly the use of state security services. "This stark disparity of viewpoints could confuse and alienate citizens and contribute to instability over time," said NDI in the report.
Nevertheless, the upcoming local election is an opportunity for candidates and political parties to prioritise local issues "of importance to many voters, who are frustrated with unmet expectations," the report continued.
The NDI mission provided a number of recommendations to Georgian political parties in or outside of the government, including consensus-based and legal reform processes; the establishment of a political party code of conduct emphasising a commitment to non-violence; prioritising and attracting women candidates; improved training for poll workers on counting and reconciliation procedures; concrete strategies to mitigate against disinformation; impartial and timely application of justice and increased support for local media outlets and citizen election observer groups.
NDI is not alone in finding a divided Georgia. Georgian Dream has put up a front of progressiveness since coming to power in 2013, but repeated incidents have revealed the extent of behind-the-doors political machinations. The ruling party's feud with President Giorgi Margvelashvili, who is politically unaffiliated, and its criticism of the central bank's monetary policy in 2015, raised fears that the party may be overstretching its powers beyond its constitutional boundaries.
While Georgian Dream has walked the diplomatic tightrope commendably well, issues at home - such as the reform of the justice system, abuse of power in the secret services and the government's close ties with the Christian Orthodox church, continue to cloud its administration. Since the ruling party secured a constitutional majority in parliament in October 2016, observers have feared that the party's uncontested grip on power could be detrimental for the young Georgian democracy.
11 GEORGIA Country Report September 2017 www.intellinews.com