Saakashvili’s party dominates Georgian poll

Published time: 23 May, 2008 04:52 Edited time: 23 May, 2008 08:52

Georgia’s pro-presidential United National Movement is in a commanding lead after 90% of votes have been counted in Wednesday’s parliamentary election. Four parties have crossed the 5% threshold required for seats in Georgia's new parliament. However, the

The Georgian parliament consists of 150 seats, half of which are decided by proportional representation. For those seats Saakashvili's United National Movement has got almost 60%. United Opposition got 17%.

The other 75 seats are decided by a First Past the Post system. So whoever wins, one particular district gets to be represented, everybody else gets nothing. Here Saakashvili's United National Movement clinched more the 70 seats, with some estimated four seats going to opposition.

Overall the United National Movement looks to have 2/3 of the seats, which means they will be able to pass changes to Georgia’s Constitution, even though Mikhail Saakashvili has pledged to listen to the opposition.

The latter still claims the election was rigged and has gathered a protest rally featuring some 3,000 supporters on the night of the election. It wasn’t a big rally, but the people were angry.