Georgian PM, NDI president meet, discuss importance of ‘coordinated cooperation’ in election year
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has met with NDI President Derek Mitchell in Tbilisi. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has met with NDI President Derek Mitchell in Tbilisi earlier today to discuss the importance of coordinated cooperation in the election year, the government of Georgia press office reports.
The press office said that Gakharia praised the US-Georgia strategic partnership at the meeting, spoke about the importance of strong self governments and parliament and the role of NDI in this regard.
It was stated that it is important for concrete aspects of [NDI’s] activities not to be politicized as this may harm the goals of NDI supported projects,” the Georgian government press office said.
Derek Mitchell became the third president of NDI in 2018. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
Gakharia vowed that the 2020 parliamentary elections will be held ‘in full line with international standards.’
Mitchell has also met with ruling Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili 'to discuss current political and electoral environment.'
Earlier this year the ruling Georgian Dream party said that it would have ‘deep discussions’ with NDI officials as ‘there are questions regarding their polls which remain unanswered.’
The US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has also met with Mitchell today 'to discuss Georgia's current political and pre-electoral environment..'
The statement came after January 16 polls released by NDI which show ‘declined trust in the current Georgian government and state institutions.’
Ruling party MP Mamuka Mdinaradze named CRRC Georgia, which technically carries out NDIs polls in Georgia, as a possible reason as to why the 'polls are biased.’
The ruling Georgian Dream party says that in the coming days they will have ‘deep discussions’ with NDI Georgia Director Laura Thornton as ‘there are questions regarding their polls which remain unanswered.’
Poll results released today by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) show that 82 percent of Georgians approve joining the EU, while 74 percent of those surveyed approve the Georgian government’s stated goal of joining NATO.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has released the results of recently conducted polls earlier today, saying that people’s trust in state institutions and leaders has declined, and the number of Georgians who evaluate the current government’s performance as ‘bad’ has increased from 49 per cent in March 2018 to 64 per cent today.
US says National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), other non-partisan organisations help strengthen Georgian democracy.
NDI Georgia will have a new head as the term of Laura Thornton, who took the post in 2014, is expiring. It has not been announced so far who will replace Thornton.
Recently published NDI polls say that ‘despite disinformation aimed at undermining support for transatlantic alliances, Georgians remain steadfast in their support’ for the country’s EU and NATO goals, with support for membership at 76 and 69 percent, respectively. According to the polls Russia is among the top countries engaged in spreading false information in Georgia.
Almost three quarters of Georgians (73%) believe the country’s relatively low rate of coronavirus cases is due to steps taken by the government and doctors, while 17 per cent say it’s mostly due to Georgian’s genetics and religion, reads Tbilisi-Poll results released today by the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
Foundations for democratic elections are in place in Georgia for the upcoming voting for the parliament in October, however challenges in public confidence in the process remain, a pre-election environment report from the National Democratic Institute non-governmental organisation says.
The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has released recommendations ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia. The recommendations are based on an analysis of the work of the electoral administration, the campaign environment, gender and inclusion, media and disinformation and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.