Page 10 - bne IntelliNews Georgia country report October 2017

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.
2.6 Politics - misc
The foreign affairs committee of the European parliament has drafted a report recommending a Eastern Partnership Plus agreement with Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, Radio Free Europe reported on September 14. The report was inked with a view of being debated at the Eastern Partnership summit in Brussels on November 24. The document recommends the European Commission and European Council should act towards strengthening the rule of law in the countries subject to the partnership and increasing financial support. More steps such as waiving telecoms roaming fees should be taken. The formula of a broadened Eastern Partnership has been voiced in the past, by two European think tanks, one German the other Romanian. In 2015, they p roposed “Elements for an Eastern Partnership Plus A New Association Package for Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine”. In July, the parliaments of three European Union associated countries, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, urged the European parliament to adopt a resolution in support of their European future before the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit. “[...] the Eastern Partnership Summit Declaration [to be signed in November] will launch a strong signal in the current tense geopolitical situation and become an inspirational tool for accelerating progress and further democratic transformation in the three partner countries,” the joint address says.
The brother of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, David Saakashvili, was arrested in Ukraine on September 2 because his
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