Low trust and participation among young voters
According to a report by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), a non-governmental organization that promotes democracy and civic engagement, young people in Georgia are particularly disillusioned with the country’s political spectrum and may not vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections in October 2024. The report was based on a telephone survey conducted in March 2023, as well as interviews with various stakeholders during a pre-election delegation visit in February 2024.
The report found that only 20% of the respondents aged 18-34 said that there is at least one party in the country that represents their interests, compared to 28% of the overall population. Moreover, only 9% of the young age group evaluated the work of the parliament positively, and 37% negatively. The report also noted that young people are more likely to be affected by the economic and social challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unemployment, poverty, and mental health issues.
The NDI report warned that the low trust and participation among young voters could have negative implications for the democratic development and stability of Georgia, especially as the country is preparing for its first elections after receiving the status of EU membership candidate. The report urged the political parties to engage more with the youth and address their concerns and aspirations, as well as to promote a more constructive and inclusive political dialogue.
EU integration remains a top priority for Georgians
Despite the disappointment with the political parties, the NDI report also revealed that Georgian citizens continue to support the country’s integration with the European Union (EU), both politically and economically. The report showed that 54% of the respondents favored political cooperation with the EU, and 52% favored economic cooperation. These figures are consistent with the previous polls conducted by NDI in the past years.
However, the report also indicated that there is a gap between the expectations and the perceptions of the Georgian public regarding the EU integration process. While 77% of the respondents said that EU membership is important or very important for Georgia, only 36% said that the government is doing enough to ensure it. The report suggested that the government should communicate more effectively with the public about the benefits and the challenges of the EU integration, as well as the reforms and the obligations that are required for it.
The report also highlighted the role of the EU and other international partners in supporting Georgia’s democratic development and electoral integrity. The report commended the EU for its mediation efforts to resolve the political crisis that followed the 2020 parliamentary elections, which were marred by allegations of fraud and boycotts by the opposition parties. The report also recommended that the EU and other international actors should continue to monitor and assist the electoral process, as well as to hold the parties accountable for their commitments.
Women’s political participation on the rise
Another positive finding of the NDI report was the growing demand for women’s political participation in Georgia, which reflects a desire for change in the political discourse and agendas. The report showed that there is an increase in the number of people who believe that women and men represent their interests equally, from 48% in 2019 to 56% in 2023. Furthermore, fewer people (16%) said that male politicians represent them better than women, compared to 24% in 2019.
The report also noted that women’s representation in the parliament has increased significantly, from 14% in 2016 to 24% in 2020, thanks to the introduction of a gender quota system that requires at least 25% of the candidates on the party lists to be women. The report praised this reform as a positive step towards achieving gender equality and diversity in the political sphere, and encouraged the parties to nominate more women for the majoritarian seats and the leadership positions.
The report also emphasized the need to address the barriers and the challenges that women face in politics, such as discrimination, harassment, violence, and stereotypes. The report called for more legal and institutional measures to protect and empower women in politics, as well as more public awareness and education campaigns to promote a positive image of women leaders and role models.
Category: Politics
Meta Description: A news article about the NDI report that shows the low trust and participation of young people in Georgia’s political parties, the high support for EU integration, and the growing demand for women’s political participation.
Slug: georgia-youth-political-parties-ndi-report
