NDI - Georgia

Jobs Remain Top Issue as Georgian Elections Approach, NDI Survey Finds

fgalleto — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:10:02 +0000

A survey of public opinion in Georgia released by NDI shows that jobs, territorial integrity and affordable healthcare are the top three priority issues for Georgian citizens, while concern about rising prices and inflation has dropped. In the survey, 63 percent mentioned jobs, 36 percent mentioned territorial integrity and 31 percent mentioned affordable healthcare as among their top three priority issues.

Speaking at a press briefing, Luis Navarro, NDI’s country director in Georgia, said, "Georgians are optimistic about the direction of the country and the government is seen as being able to make changes that matter to citizens."

Sixty-four percent of respondents indicated they are likely to vote if parliamentary elections, anticipated for October 2012, were held tomorrow. This represents a 13 percent increase since NDI’s last poll in September 2011.

Eighty-seven percent of respondents were aware that Bidzina Ivanishvili had been stripped of his Georgian citizenship and 70 percent believe his citizenship should be reinstated compared with 8 percent who do not.

While 70 percent of Georgians support the goal of joining NATO, 88 percent disapprove of Georgia’s current relationship with Russia.

Asked whether Georgia is a democracy now, 49 percent of respondents said yes compared to 34 percent who said no. These figures represent a slight increase from NDI’s September survey when 45 percent said yes and 39 percent said no.

The results reflect data collected Feb. 22 – March 5 in face-to-face interviews with a nationwide representative sample of 3,161 Georgians. The survey looks at issues of public importance, perceptions of democracy and attitudes toward reforms, as well as various domestic and foreign policy issues.

NDI’s survey work is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and carried out by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC).

Related:

Published March 26, 2012

Public Attitudes in Georgia: Results of a February 2012 Survey

fgalleto — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:19:37 +0000

Author:

Luis Navarro, Ian T. Woodward

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

03/21/2012

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

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Jobs Remain Top Issue as Elections Approach, NDI Survey Finds

fgalleto — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:11:29 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

03/21/2012

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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New Website Facilitates Communication between Citizens and Their Elected Representatives

fgalleto — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:56:24 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/15/2011

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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Georgian Parliament's New Television Program Gives Constituents First Look at Their MPs

ntekeei — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:18:59 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

11/17/2011

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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Georgian Parliament's New Television Program Gives Constituents First Look at Their Members of Parliament

ntekeei — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:37:42 +0000

To help meet a demand by Georgians for more information about their elected representatives, NDI and the Georgian Parliament are producing Your Parliament, a program of televised interviews with ruling party and opposition legislators that is provided to local TV stations.

Each episode of the program will feature a majoritarian MP from a specific region as well as the MP's counterpart from an opposition group.

New constitutional reforms, which will take effect after 2013 presidential elections, assign the parliament new power to select a prime minister and form a government, which gives the legislature a central role in building a more inclusive democratic culture and increasing public confidence in the political process. Public opinion surveys by NDI show that Georgians want more information on legislative issues and the positions of their elected representatives.

NDI polling also shows that constituents get their information primarily through television. NDI’s Parliamentary Communication Center (PCC), which produces Your Parliament, aims to help regional television provide more local context about legislative issues and members of parliament (MPs), particularly majoritarians, who are elected directly from single mandate districts.

The PCC also seeks to help these majoritarian members make use of new media, such as websites and Facebook, to feed the interest of growing Internet communities in Tbilisi and Batumi and to support transparency efforts as parliament begins its planned move from Tbilisi to Kutaisi.

“The PCC supports a more diverse media environment, more political dialogue and greater responsiveness to constituents. These efforts are needed to realize the ruling party promises of e-government as parliament enters the 2012 election cycle and prepares for its move,” said Luis Navarro, NDI-Georgia director.

This is an edition of Your Parliament in which Pavle Kublashvili, majoritarian member of the ruling United National Movement party and Legal Issues Committee chairman, discusses pension reform with Giorgi Akhvlediani, faction leader of the Christian Democratic Movement party.

Each Your Parliament show features a majoritarian MP from the region and a counterpart from the opposition. Each segment focuses on a specific topic, such as voting rules, taxes or pension reforms. Each guest has 25 seconds for opening remarks and then answers questions posed by his or her counterpart. All of the segments are available on the PCC’s website, and citizens can voice their opinions about the programs on the PCC’s Facebook page.

For many Georgians, the Your Parliament program marks the first time they have seen their MPs discussing real issues that affect their everyday lives.

The PCC is conducted in partnership with the Parliament of Georgia and Internews-Georgia, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In 2013, the parliament will assume management of the PCC.

Related:

Published Nov. 17, 2011

Procedures Launched for Constitutional Amendment Increasing Number of MPs | Nov. 11, 2011

fgalleto — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:58:48 +0000

Civil.ge | Link to story »

A controversial constitutional amendment, envisaging increase of number of MPs from current 150 to 190 in the next Parliament, has been initiated this week.

According to the poll carried out by Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) for the U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI) in September, 60% of respondents were against of increasing number of seats in the Parliament with only 8% responding positively.

Link to story »

New Report: Democratization Will Be Essential to Georgia’s European Integration

rrunyan — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:37:11 +0000

As Georgia seeks to integrate into Europe, it must advance political and economic reforms, according to the findings of a new report by the Atlantic Council.

The report, Georgia in the West: A Policy Road Map to Georgia's Euro-Atlantic Future, is the product of a task force chaired by Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, and Lindsey Graham, R-SC. NDI President Kenneth Wollack was among the 24 task force members.

As Georgia seeks to integrate into Europe, it must advance political and economic reforms, according to the findings of a new report by the Atlantic Council.

Democratic reforms will be critical to Georgia’s acceptance in the Euro-Atlantic community, according to the report. “While the speed of reform in Georgia has been impressive, the long and arduous tasks of building strong and independent institutions, restoring a healthy civil society and ensuring a competitive electoral environment will be critical in cementing the legacy of the Rose Revolution and Georgia’s transformation into a mature democracy.”

The next two years will be particularly significant in that process. “Parliamentary elections in 2012 and a presidential contest in 2013 will test Georgia’s commitment to the democratic reforms that are a necessary part of its Euro-Atlantic integration,” the report said. “They will also represent a watershed moment in Georgia’s post-Soviet history; an opportunity to witness Georgia’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power.”

To bolster U.S.-Georgia relations and support Georgia’s political, security and economic future, the report said, the United States should:

Put democracy assistance at the core of foreign aid, including making clear the importance of electoral reform, strengthening civil society organizations and bolstering free media;

Protect and support Georgia’s territorial integrity;

Improve security and defense cooperation; and

Support Georgia’s economic development and promote its economic integration with Europe.

To transform Georgia internally, the report said, Georgia’s government and civil society should:

Bolster Georgia’s democratic institutions, including empowering parliament, strengthening judicial independence, participating in the democratic process, encouraging free media, and supporting a competitive electoral environment;
Work with allies to protect territorial integrity; and
Foster sustainable economic growth.

“Georgia must find the right balance between modernization and democratization, balancing the pace of reform with a greater focus on building institutions and bolstering plurality,” the report said. “Georgia’s political stability will ultimately rest on the government’s ability to allow for public dissent and participation in a more inclusive political process.”

Related:

Published October 17, 2011

Poll Shows Disapproval of Increasing Seats in Parliament | Oct. 10, 2011

fgalleto — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:21:43 +0000

Civil.Ge | Link to story »

60% of respondents are against of an idea to increase number of seats in the next Parliament from current 150 to 190, according to a recent public opinion survey released on Monday.

According to the poll carried out by Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) for U.S. National Democratic Institute (NDI) in September, only 8% of respondents said they were in favor of this proposal, which is part of an electoral system reform deal reached between a ruling party and several opposition parties in June.

Link to story »

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Economic Issues are Foremost on the Minds of Georgians, NDI Survey Finds

fgalleto — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:53:18 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

10/10/2011

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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NDI Future Women Leaders Program Alumni Awarded Certificates | Sept. 28, 2011

fgalleto — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 16:26:18 +0000

Rustavi2 | Link to story »

Alumni of NDI Future Women Leaders Program were awarded certificates in Tbilisi Marriott Hotel on Wednesday. U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Jon Bass and Director of National Democratic Institute (NDI) Louis Navarro attended the awarding ceremony.

18 women who took up a general course of management, efficient communications and public opinion survey during one year were awarded the certificates.

The NDI Future Women Leaders Program brings together groups of 20 to 25 women for a year-long program designed to increase women’s participation in politics and prepare women to seek elected office.

Link to story »

Luis Navarro

fgalleto — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:59:10 +0000

Luis Navarro joined NDI with more than 23 years of experience in American politics. He has been a trainer and political director for national labor unions, a senior staffer and board member for national campaign committees, and a top aide to members of Congress. He brings this extensive experience to Georgia, where he has served as NDI country director since 2009.

Under Mr. Navarro’s leadership, NDI-Georgia has implemented an online voting records database, an NGO liaison office in parliament, training for parliamentary staff on constituent outreach, working groups on the 2009 election code and the establishment of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Channel 2, as well as a public meeting process for parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee. He also oversees the Future Women Leaders Program, a parliamentary intern program, election observation efforts, and survey research on the views of Georgian citizens. In late 2011, NDI-Georgia will launch a new Parliamentary Communications Center to produce television segments for regional television stations that will provide more localized coverage of parliament’s activities.

Prior to joining NDI, Mr. Navarro served as presidential campaign manager and last chief of staff for Sen. Joe Biden, as well as the national political director on the presidential campaign of Sen. John Kerry through the 2004 Iowa Caucus.

Mr. Navarro was born in Washington, D.C., and is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park.

NDI Delegation Concludes that Key Aspects of Georgian Election Were in Line with Democratic Principles; But Identifies Flaws in the Process

fgalleto — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:48:46 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

01/07/2008

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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NDI Delegation to Assess Electoral Environment in Georgia

fgalleto — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:11:43 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

04/25/2008

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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NDI Calls for Urgent Steps to Improve Public Confidence Before Georgian Parliamentary Elections

fgalleto — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:17:32 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

05/02/2008

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

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