34 parties and 5 blocs have submitted applications to the Central Election Commission (CEC) on participation in the March 28 parliamentary elections.
The ruling coalition of National Movement, led by President Saakashvili and Prime Minister Zhvania’s United Democrats, is a favorite in the March 28 parliamentary elections. The parties intend a merger; as a result one of them will cease activity.
The election bloc of National-Democratic Party and Traditionalists, as well as a newly created bloc Rightist Opposition, consisting of Industrialists and the New Rights parties are the main opposition coalitions to run for the parliament.
The Republican Party and the Union of National Forces, which previously formed a bloc with President Saakashvili’s National Movement, refused to participate in the upcoming elections.
The Supreme Court of Georgia annulled the results of the proportional vote of the November 2 parliamentary elections due to massive irregularities. Thus, the March 28 repeat parliamentary elections will be held by the party-lists only.
As a result political parties will contest for 150 seats in the legislative body, while 75 MPs elected in single-mandate constituencies on November 2 will retain their mandates in the 235-seat Parliament.