Georgia: The Rose Revolution and the United Opposition

2003

Twelve years after Georgia gained its independence from the Soviet Union, the country was set to hold parliamentary elections on November 2, 2003. The elections, which resulted in the reelection of the long-time incumbent president Eduard Shevardnadze, were claimed by the European Parliament as well as the OSCE?s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to have failed to meet their standards for democratic elections. At the urging of the now incumbent president, Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgians took to the streets of Tbilisi, eventually spreading to all of Georgia?s major cities in non-violent civil disobedience against the incumbent government.

The people of Georgia, roses in hand, and the democratic united opposition demanded the annulment of the previous elections. By January 4, 2004, Saakashvili had been elected as president by an overwhelming victory, and on March 28, 2004, new parliamentary elections were held with a large majority of seats being won by the Democrats.

In a passionate speech given at the Young Leaders? Economic Forum in Nowy Sącz, Poland, in 2011, President Saakashvili stressed the importance of youth involvement in social and political issues and their unique ability to change the world for the better: ?Young people possess new ways of solving old problems.? This proved invaluable in the transformation of Georgia from a Soviet-era state to an economically viable and successful country. The 2003 elections provided a window for young Georgians to gain a stake in their own country. They recognized that opportunity and seized it.