The Georgian Patriarchate released a statement on October 22 regarding the upcoming Georgian elections. The statement clarified it could not take a position on politics, but it did express support for “the choice that will bring long term peace” and strengthen Christian traditions and family values. The statement was made just days after the decision by the government to donate large plots in several Georgian village to the church.
According to the government orders signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and published on October 21, large parcels of land have been given to the Orthodox Church of Georgia in the last week. The church received 3,610 sq/m, 160 sq/m, and 300 sq/m in Salibauri in the Khelvachauri District, according to a decree signed on October 17. The government also gave away 1619 sq/m and the buildings/structures thereon on Jordania Street, in the town of Lanchkhuti.
Pawel Herczynski – EU Ambassador in Georgia – called on Georgians at an event organized by local CSOs to vote for a better future. “Please go out, vote, and choose a government which would represent your wishes, aspirations, and desires,” the Ambassador said. He also spoke of the EU-Georgia relationship, expressing his regret at the “historic low” they have reached and the fact that the EU integration has been halted due to the actions of the government.
The Government Administration, at the Central Election Commission’s request, declared October 25, the day before elections, a holiday. The decision was made because more than half the polling stations are located in public institutions such as schools, kindergartens and other public institutions.
Transparency International-Georgia, a local corruption monitor, released a detailed document describing the state of four aspects of Georgian democracy for the past four years: corruption, judiciary, parliamentary oversight and media environment. The watchdog warns that the democratic situation has deteriorated alarmingly in Georgia ahead of the crucial parliamentary election.
Raul Lolua is the secretary of de facto security of occupied Abkhazia. He stated that Aslan Bzhania (the de facto leader in Abkhazia) has ordered additional law enforcement units to be sent to the Gali area during the Georgian elections to ensure the region is ready for “any provocation.”
The Daily Beat: October 20,
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