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What do political party programs say about conflicts?
This article was originally published on the Center for Social Justice website. The title, text, and terminology are reproduced without changes. All rights reserved by the Center for Social Justice. Publication date: October 2024.
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The Center for Social Justice has studied the pre-election programs of the government and five opposition alliances/parties regarding conflict resolution:
In evaluating the programs of the main political parties and alliances participating in the 2024 parliamentary elections, the Center for Social Justice analyzed their vision and plans related to de-occupation, the implementation of peace policies, and the protection of the rights of conflict-affected populations.
Only three of the political alliances presented a specific vision and plan on these topics. The remaining political parties and alliances either largely ignored the issue (Georgian Dream) or expressed fragmented views on it in occasional interviews (National Movement, Coalition for Change).
Georgian Dream
During the presentation of its election program, which lasted over an hour, Georgian Dream completely ignored issues related to peace policies and conflict resolution.
As in its 2020 election program, Georgian Dream still lacks a clear vision and action plan to bring new momentum to peace policies or ensure progress in protecting the rights of conflict-affected populations.
The ruling party might justify the absence of a peace policy component in its program by claiming it plans to continue implementing the existing “engagement strategy,” which it considers successful. However, it is worth noting that the “engagement strategy,” developed in 2010, and the peace initiatives based on it no longer address contemporary challenges and realities.
This strategy is outdated, as it fails to account for new political crises in the region — such as the Second Karabakh War, the war in Ukraine, the weakening of Russian influence in the South Caucasus, and new opportunities for Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia to join the European Union. These developments have altered the security status quo and created new opportunities for key actors.
In its current governance, the authorities primarily rely on the “Step to a Better Future” initiative. While symbolically valuable, it does not offer a comprehensive vision for achieving progress in de-occupation policies and peacebuilding.
Interestingly, three years ago, the government began work on a new strategy for de-occupation and peace policies. However, the public remains unaware of any progress. The ruling party has explained that it does not plan to adopt a new document until the war in Ukraine ends, as the current crisis makes it difficult to predict future developments.
This approach is unacceptable, as regional crises, including the war in Ukraine, have created new opportunities for Georgia and other Eastern Partnership countries to move closer to European Union membership. These opportunities could provide new guarantees and alternatives for dialogue to a society divided by conflict, offering a qualitatively different type of influence.
It is also critical that, when drafting action plans and creating projects within the framework of peace policies, the authorities neither consult nor involve representatives of civil society from the other side of the conflict in dialogue.
Against the backdrop of the political crisis in Abkhazia and Russia’s attempts to appropriate the region’s economic and strategic resources, Georgian Dream has not developed an alternative vision. Such a vision would include measures to contain ongoing processes in the region as well as explore new ways to facilitate international mobility within the European Union and ensure access for residents of the conflict zone to education, the internet, electricity, banking services, and more.
Moreover, the authorities exploit the idea of peace policy as a tool for their election campaign, which devalues the concept of peace and erodes public trust.
The fact that the ruling party frequently talks about sustainable peace and abstract opportunities for restoring territorial integrity, yet lacks clearly defined frameworks, goals, and instruments for a new peace policy, appears ironic. This once again demonstrates that behind Georgian Dream’s populist statements, there is no real process taking place.
Unity – National Movement
The Unity – National Movement coalition has not yet published its election program. Among its five campaign priorities, peace policy issues are not reflected. However, based on an interview with one of the coalition’s leaders, it can be inferred that the main framework for conflict resolution and peace policy as envisioned by Unity lies within the European Union.
According to Giorgi Vashadze, a European passport would guarantee that residents of Abkhazia and South Ossetia gain access to the opportunities provided by the Georgian-European passport, including access to quality education, mobility, employment, and development.
In contrast, Abkhazians and Ossetians currently hold Russian passports, which not only fail to offer such opportunities but further isolate them. Additionally, the Unity coalition believes that the standard of living for internally displaced persons in Georgian-controlled territory should serve as an example for residents of the occupied territories. Their pensions should be set at 300 lari, and their socio-economic conditions must be improved.
Coalition For Change
According to one of the coalition leaders, time is not on Georgia’s side, and steps to restore relations with Abkhazians and Ossetians must be taken as soon as possible. Otherwise, both sides and future generations will eventually lose interest in resolving the issue, confining it to international legal frameworks alone.
Nika Gvaramia believes that free trade and free movement are the two main areas the authorities should focus on to rebuild relationships and cooperation between peoples. He sees the European Union as the sole foundation for resolving these issues. According to him, if Georgia becomes an EU member, it will increase the interest of Abkhazian and Ossetian society in cooperating with Georgia. Gvaramia cites the example of Turkish Cyprus, where the majority of the population, 83 percent, voted in favor of a unified Cyprus joining the European Union.
Additionally, the Coalition For Change believes that deepening trade relations will help rebuild trust between people divided by the conflict. Nika Gvaramia also mentions the Anaklia deep-sea port, which he believes will be insufficient for cargo traffic. Therefore he suggests constructing a similar port in Ochamchire as a means to restore relations between Abkhazians and Georgians. Gvaramia estimates that it would take about a decade to establish contacts in this way.
Coalition Strong Georgia
The Coalition Strong Georgia, uniting the parties Lelo, Citizens, For the People, and Freedom Square, presented several priority directions for peacebuilding and de-occupation policies in its election program “The Path of Ilia”.
The coalition plans to develop a comprehensive national plan for de-occupation and peaceful conflict resolution, based on broad political consensus and ensuring continuity. It also intends to continue supporting the policy of non-recognition.
At the same time, the election program of Strong Georgia addresses the socio-economic problems of various groups affected by the conflict, including the creation of alternative projects in education and employment for residents of the occupied regions. Like other opposition parties, the coalition sees the European Union framework as the basis for these efforts.
To improve the socio-economic conditions of the population living near the dividing line, the coalition plans to establish free economic and trade zones along it and implement major infrastructure projects. Additionally, coalition members propose creating security mechanisms for local residents, such as surveillance systems. Furthermore, coalition participants consider it essential to establish additional platforms for thematic dialogue with Abkhazians and Ossetians alongside the Geneva format.
Gakharia for Georgia
The Gakharia for Georgia party presented a comprehensive action plan for peace policy ahead of the 2024 elections. Like other opposition factions, the party views the implementation of de-occupation and peace policies within the framework of the European Union and in close cooperation with the West. Similar to the Strong Georgia coalition, the party believes it is necessary to develop a vision and strategy for de-occupation and national unity based on a national consensus. The party expects the strategy to be ready within a year after elections.
Additionally, the party’s election program includes a range of measures aimed at improving the legal and social conditions of various groups affected by the conflict. These include enhancing security mechanisms along the occupation line, introducing early warning systems, and drafting a special law to support the development of 116 villages along the occupation line to address the needs of local residents.
To improve the legal status of residents in conflict regions, the party plans to facilitate access to Georgian citizenship and simplify its acquisition procedures. To ensure freedom of movement, the program proposes expanding the use of neutral documents and allowing vehicles with Abkhazian and Ossetian license plates to move freely. It also includes plans to liberalize cargo transport rules along the administrative dividing lines.
Expanding access to higher education in partnership with Western allies is another priority, along with protecting Abkhazian, Ossetian, and Georgian identities in the occupied territories. The party also aims to provide support to women living in occupied regions who are victims of violence, making consultations on sexual and reproductive health more accessible to them.
Girchi
The political party Girchi views conflict resolution and peace policy in the context of the return of Abkhazia, emphasizing that ending the occupation requires close cooperation with the West, particularly the United States and the European Union. According to the party’s perspective, a strong army is a guarantee of stability and a vital factor in the peace negotiation process. Girchi rules out resolving conflicts through violent means.
Girchi highlights that Georgia’s internal economic and political order should develop in a way that is attractive to Abkhazian society. Among the party’s stated goals are reforms to improve the economic, judicial, and political systems.
The party has also proposed a plan for the return of displaced persons to Abkhazia, based on the principles of Svan justice. According to the plan, a Georgian would indicate which state-owned property they would find acceptable as their home, while an Abkhazian would decide whether to remain in their current home or accept the property requested by the Georgian. Regardless of the choice, both sides are guaranteed legal satisfaction.
