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Freedom House notes progress in Georgia’s democracy

Georgia Materials 16 June 2007 13:33 (UTC +04:00)

( Civil ) - The level of democracy has slightly improved in Georgia, because of progress in electoral processes, independent media and local governance, the U.S.-based Freedom House said in its 2007 report on countries in transition on June 14.

The report, which analyses political developments in 29 countries from Central Europe to Eurasia, says that the democracy score has improved in Georgia from 4.86 in the previous 2006 report to 4.68 in 2007. Nations in Transit ratings and scores are based on a 1 to 7 scale, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic development and 7 the lowest.

The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for civil society; national democratic governance; judicial framework and independence; corruption; electoral process; independent media and local governance.

Georgia's scores have improved in electoral processes, independent media and local governance, while remained unchanged in other remaining criteria.

The report says that because of "the steady trend toward eliminating electoral fraud and new legislation aimed at creating a more level playing field for political parties" Georgia's rating for electoral process has gone from 4.75 to 4.50.

Independent media in Georgia has been upgraded from 4.25 to 4.00. The report cited the Georgian government's "consistent measures to protect media freedoms outside the capital" as the reason behind this improvement.

The government's "important step to create functional and independent local government structures" resulted in the local democratic governance rating going from 5.75 to 5.50, according to the report.

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