Democratization and Europeanization in Georgia: How to lead the process?

Levan Kakhishvili, Elene Panchulidze Despite the fact that European integration is a priority for the Georgian government, public opinion polls demonstrate that there is a lack of public awareness about the processes of Europeanization and democratization. It is not always clear to an average Georgi...
Read More

The last president elected by people? A review of the 2018 presidential elections

Ketevan Goletiani* On October 28, 2018 Georgia will elect a head of state by popular vote, most likely for the last time. After the president’s swearing-in ceremony, the new version of the Georgian Constitution, which calls for indirect president elections, will go into effect. Political uncertain...
Read More

GIP project: Expert polls provided highly accurate forecasts of local election outcomes

Last year, Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) launched a new method of social surveys – expert polls. Similar polls are widely used in the West, and particularly in the United States. They provide a high level of accuracy in forecasting elections and varying political processes. GIP’s expert ...
Read More

Popular Oligarchy: Why the Public Still Supports Georgian Dream

Bidzina Lebanidze* Recent public surveys have confirmed a paradoxical trend in Georgian political life: despite pressing problems, political blunders, and a troubling socio-economic situation, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party remains the most popular political force in Georgia. It has been almos...
Read More

Single Party Rule Returns to Georgia

Joseph Larsen and Bidzina Lebanidze GIP Analysts Single party rule is returning to Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party won 48 of 50 runoff elections for majoritarian electoral districts on October 30....
Read More

Georgia’s Democratic Dilemma

Bidzina Lebanidze Despite some problems, the international community positively assessed the first round of Georgia’s parliamentary elections as largely in accordance with democratic standards and representing a step forward towards consolidating democracy....
Read More

Corridor of Expectations — Results Mostly Hold

Bidzina Lebanidze The poll of experts conducted by the Georgian Institute of Politics by and large predicted the outcome of the 2016 parliamentary election. Moreover, it held up better than most published polls. The poll predicted with a high precision the vote shares of United National...
Read More