Freedom House 2019 report says Georgia held competitive elections, mentions oligarchic actors

Freedom House has released its Freedom in the World 2019 Report, which says that Georgia holds regular and competitive elections, and its democratic trajectory shows signs of improvement.  

However, progress has stagnated in recent years. Oligarchic actors’ hold outsized influence over policy and political choices, and the rule of law continues to be stymied by political interests,” the report reads.

In the key developments of 2018, the report featured:

• Stepping down of Giorgi Kvirikashvili as the prime minister of Georgia.
• Protests erupted in May in response to raids on two popular nightclubs where police said illegal drugs were being sold.
• A two-round presidential election was held in October and November.

While the election took place in a generally peaceful environment, it was marred by allegations of vote buying, voter intimidation, and ballot-box stuffing.”

The report says that the Georgian media environment is robust and competitive, but frequently partisan.

The Freedom House says that the constitution guarantees freedom of religion but grants unique privileges to the Georgian Orthodox Church, including immunity for its patriarch.

Some minority religious groups have faced difficulty gaining permits from local officials to construct houses of worship,” the Freedom House says.

The report reads that Georgians generally enjoy freedom of expression, including in their online communications.

However, watchdog groups have expressed concerns in recent years that various security-related laws empower state agencies to conduct surveillance and data collection without adequate independent oversight, the report says.

The report says that despite ongoing judicial reforms, executive and legislative interference in the courts remains a substantial problem, as does corruption and a lack of transparency and professionalism surrounding judicial proceedings.