Pre-election Atmosphere in Javakhk is Tense, Interesting Elections are Anticipated
Parliamentary elections are to be held in Georgia on October 8. Upon recent data there are 3 473 316 voters in Georgia. To appear in the Parliament, the political parties should exceed the threshold of 5%. Winner in majoritarian electoral district will be considered the candidate to have not less than 50% of votes. There are 150 MPs in Georgian Parliament. Pursuant the Constitution 77 MPs will be elected on proportional system, and 73 from the majoritarian one.
168.am talked to Arnold Stepanyan, head of “Multinational Georgia” civil movement, on the forthcoming elections in Georgia.
Rather tense moods are observed in Javakhk at the forthcoming elections, where majoritarian candidates are introduced. As it’s known, an incident occurred in Akhalkalaki at the presence of Georgia’s PM between supporters of MPs Samvel Petrosyan and Henzel Mkoyan. How do you explain these moods in Javakhk and which campaign do you anticipate?
Tension in Javakhk has a few reasons. However, the main one is unity of Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki and hereinafter one MP will be elected from that electoral district, which became the reason for certain issues. As you know Georgian Dream—Democratic Georgia party again nominated Henzel Mkoyan, who, as it’s known, is one of the “eldest” MPs, as he’s being nominated for the fifth time, and four times he appeared in the Parliament.
He’s from Ninotsminda, which raised discontent in Akhalkalaki, particularly among the people pretending for that place. Thus, those people are holding negotiations with the leading political party, so that their candidate was included in the transient list, however, Georgian Dream hasn’t published the list yet. Thus, that expectation sharpens people’s behavior, i.e. they are in unpredictable expectation, as a result of which the situation is sharpening.
Upon my anticipations, the situation will continue as long as the list isn’t known, in which probably teammate of Samvel Petrosyan will be included. Majoritarian candidates in Javakhk will mainly be Armenians.
National Movement party belonging to Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili, introduced an Armenian candidate—Arsen Karapetyan, who is rather active. Another independent candidate has been registered as well, who is rather known.
As for other political parties, it’s for the first time, when political parties with a record number attempt to launch campaign in Javakhk, and state on majoritarian MPs. In fact, leader of public opinion lacks in Javakhk, people support different parties.
As it’s known active Georgian Dream—Democratic Georgia, National Movement, which have updated their staff in Javakhk with younger generation, Alliance of Left Power and parties exceeding the threshold of 5% are active as well. Thus, rather active campaign is in process. Lists of proportional candidates haven’t been introduced yet, officially Free Democrats belonging to Alasania introduced a list of 20 people, among which 1 Armenian may be found.
In my opinion, Armenians will be very active in the lists of different political parties, it shows that they attempt to actively work with Armenians, however, I might say that the majority of those parties will attempt to fight for 5-7% threshold, then it will be difficult to nominate more than 10 people, i.e. more probably, there won’t be more Armenians in the Parliament.
Are chances for Mkoyan’s re-election high on account of the existent discontent?
He has greater chances, as firstly, there are financial resources, secondly, he is a candidate of the leading political party. However, the point is, by which phase he’ll win. In case of the second phase he’ll face issues, if all the parties unite against him.
Generally what’s your assessment to chances of the parties? The leading party is sure that it’ll maintain its positions in a newly developed Parliament. What do you think, is it possible that current snapshot of Georgian Parliament will change as a result of forthcoming elections?
Everything is possible in Georgia, as democracy is on a higher level now, and you saw how regime change was recorded through elections. Thus, nothing should be excluded, when we realize that there is democratic approach towards elections. However there is another question: does that approach function in Javakhk? Democracy hasn’t reached to Javakhk to the scale as it’s observed in big cities, although it’s for the first time that these much political powers are taking part and so many candidates are nominated from political streams.
Thus, interesting elections are ahead, and if administrative resource isn’t used, local businessmen won’t give money, probably, the second phase will be recorded. We implement observation mission and attentively follow use of resources.
We haven’t noticed use of administrative resources in Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki yet, however, time will show, as besides that resource, financial resource is available as well, which the candidates have. I can state one thing for sure, that out of this snapshot, we can’t already compare use of administrative resource with the volumes used a few years ago.
Do people in Javakhk pay attention to the programs of the candidates? To which extent voting is taking place consciously?
Upon our survey, more than 15% of voters aren’t interested by the program. The majority of voters does it out of party belonging, friendly ties. There are voters, who make a decision during the last days and on the day of elections; they take into account mobilization, sensitive outbreak and etc.
What do you think is there the need for Mkoyan’s re-election in Javakhk?
I may express my personal opinion in this regard. I consider, it’s high time that he conceded his Parliamentary seat to representatives of young generation with more serious education background, who observe issues widely, have vision of regional development, know Georgian. I think they’ll do more benefit to the region. However, change of approach towards the region, the Armenian community, that this is a serious resource, as long these people will live here, as much taxes they will pay, and in this case, it should be realized that people are needed, who think not of their own interests, but of the country. I don’t memorize any serious speech, action by Mkoyan. I’d prefer candidates, who appeared in this or that political party out of ideological motives. Both the authorities and locals should change their mentality. Upon our survey, the day of elections passes without violations, which could have changed the results. Thus, he really succeeds to mobilize the population and people really vote, the issue is to which extent it’s conscious, and to which extent they want it and they have an alternative. Alternative should be considered, as the political field in Georgia is rather wide, colors and chances for choice are more today, than previously.
By Araks Martirosyan
