Georgia: summing up domestic politics in 2013

Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi, for Vestnik Kavkaza

In 2013, the main concept in the political lexicon of Georgia was "cohabitation." Sometimes Georgian politicians and experts called it cohabitation trying to be ironic. Ordinary citizens not versed in European languages understood this term or process as the "co-living" and "coexistence" of the two rival factions - the "Georgian Dream" (GM) of Ivanishvili and the United National Movement (UNM) of Mikhail Saakashvili. Throughout the year their cohabitation was accompanied by mutual accusations and intrigues and seemed to end with the election of a new president, Georgy Margvelashvili.

Margvelashvili represents the ruling coalition. Under the new constitution, which came into force on the day of his inauguration, the president is endowed only with representative functions, while his influence on domestic and foreign policy is limited. However, in the event of a crisis or confrontation between the government and the parliamentary majority, his authority becomes extended and he is able to play the role of supreme arbiter in difficult situations.

However, there has been no need of that kind so far: complete harmony prevails in relations between the president, the government and the parliamentary majority. However, a well expected question arises: for how long will it last when the founder of the coalition, Bidzina Ivanishvili, retired from politics and every time emphasizes his firm unwillingness not to interfere in the work of the government?

As a result of power changes in Georgia, a unique situation for Georgia has developed: Georgian Dream consists of a variety of political forces, from right to left, from liberals to nationalists. Their leaders do not conceal their opinion that in the absence of such a "binder" as the authority of Ivanishvili, they might become alienated from each other on the political spectrum, that is, take opposing positions on major issues of foreign and domestic policy.

At the same time, for the first time in the history of independent Georgia, a powerful opposition in the face of the former ruling party and its undisputed leader, former President Saakashvili, has emerged in the country. With his actions in Ukraine and presence on the political agenda, Saakashvili makes it clear that he is not leaving Georgian politics and might return home from the U.S. at any time, where he is now a lecturer at the prestigious Tufts University.

The pluralism of the political system and the presence of an influential opposition helps the country support a "European image" and facilitates the conclusion of the EU association agreement in the summer of next year. However, in reality this leads to the inability of the authorities to take decisions, for example, on the radical improvement of relations with Russia.

Moreover, the bureaucratic mentality has not changed during the short-term cohabitation. Therefore, despite critique coming from European politicians, throughout the whole of 2013 the new authorities have been attempting to "erase" the UNM from the political map by arresting its leaders. In the end they failed, and that determines the very near future of the country.

Apparently, despite the resignation of both Mikhail Saakashvili and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the cohabitation will continue in Georgia between the ruling party and the influential team of the extremely experienced and ambitious opposition, which is dreaming of returning to power.