![]() Parliamentary ElectionsĪlthough GD’s electoral victory allowed it to maintain its parliamentary majority, opposition parties rejected the outcome, called for snap elections, and at time of writing, were boycotting their seats in the new parliament. Human rights groups in Georgia noted that the manner of this granting of extensive government power without parliamentary oversight was incompatible with the Constitution. The parliament later extended this through the end of 2020. But a day earlier, citing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, parliament granted the government the power to restrict certain rights, such as freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, as well as property, economic, and labor rights without declaring a state of emergency until July 15. Opposition and some civil society groups saw the steps as “manipulation to attract voters.” Three months before the October elections, the government announced additional anti-crisis measures of US$132 million, including a further social assistance package. To mitigate the fallout, the government enacted a US$1.5 billion anti-crisis plan in April, including a social assistance package for individuals, and tax relief and exemptions for businesses for at least six months. The pandemic had a devastating impact on the economy, which shrunk by over 16 percent in the second quarter, resulting in a spike in unemployment and poverty. Authorities imposed a nationwide curfew, locked down the four largest cities, and managed to contain the virus at low levels in the initial months. It declared a state of emergency, closed borders and airports, restricted movement inside the country, and closed all educational institutions, affecting close to 600,000 school children. Georgia went into lockdown shortly after announcing its first confirmed Covid-19 case at the end of February. Parliament adopted much-needed labor reform, restoring some protections to labor rights. Other areas of concern included threats to media freedom, disproportionately harsh drug policy, and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. ![]() Lack of accountability for law enforcement abuses persisted. International observers, led by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), concluded that the elections were held in a competitive environment, but marred by “widespread allegations of voter pressure.” ![]() The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party maintained a parliamentary majority amid allegations of fraud, prompting the opposition to boycott the new parliament. Political tensions rose in Georgia following the October 31 parliamentary elections. ![]()
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