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Saakashvili Declared Victor in Georgia Vote

No runoff election needed; but opposition cries foul

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2008 11:06 AM CST
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(Newser) – Official results today showed Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili won re-election with 52.8% of the vote, thus avoiding a runoff election that could've given detractors the chance to unite behind a single candidate, the BBC reports. Protesters claimed foul play, opposition leaders alleged unfair conditions and violations, and main challenger Levan Gachechiladze spoke of "terror" at the polls.

A European election watchdog, meanwhile, gave a reserved approval, and said the outcome should be respect—while pointing out "significant challenges" and an “inequitable campaign environment.” Gachechiladze placed a distant second, with 27% of the vote.

Supporters of Georgian presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze shout slogans during a rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square in the Georgian capital Sunday, protesting early election results that indicated Mikhail Saakashvili would narrowly win a second term in office. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Supporters of Georgian presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze shout slogans during a rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square in the Georgian capital...   (Associated Press)
Georgian presidential candidate Mikhail Saakashvili looks at his watch during a rally, celebrating the exit polls results announcement in Tbilisi, Georgia, early Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Saakashvili appeared headed for victory in Saturday's election in Georgia, according to an exit poll in this former Soviet republic where he has fought...
Georgian presidential candidate Mikhail Saakashvili looks at his watch during a rally, celebrating the exit polls results announcement in Tbilisi, Georgia, early Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Saakashvili appeared...   (Associated Press)
Georgia's presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze speaks during a news conference in Tbilisi, Georgia, early Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Georgia's presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze speaks during a news conference in Tbilisi, Georgia, early Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)   (Associated Press)
Georgia's presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze, left, with his wife Nino leave the polling station in Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. Georgians were voting Saturday to determine whether their country will continue to be led by Mikhail Saakashvili, the brash young president who four years ago set out to transform...
Georgia's presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze, left, with his wife Nino leave the polling station in Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. Georgians were voting Saturday to determine whether...   (Associated Press)
Georgian presidential candidate Mikhail Saakashvili with hi son Nicholos casts his ballot at a polling station in Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. Georgians were voting Saturday to determine whether their country will continue to be led by Mikhail Saakashvili, the brash young president who four years ago set out...
Georgian presidential candidate Mikhail Saakashvili with hi son Nicholos casts his ballot at a polling station in Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. Georgians were voting Saturday to determine...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of Georgian presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square in the Georgian capital Sunday, protesting early election results that indicated Mikhail Saakashvili would narrowly win a second term in office. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Supporters of Georgian presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square in the Georgian capital Sunday, protesting early...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of Georgian presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square in the Georgian capital Sunday, protesting early election results that indicated Mikhail Saakashvili would narrowly win a second term in office. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Supporters of Georgian presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square in the Georgian capital Sunday, protesting early...   (Associated Press)
A Supporter of Georgia's presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze holds a newspaper with his portrait during a rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square in the Georgian capital Sunday, protesting early election results that indicated Mikhail Saakashvili would narrowly win a second term in...
A Supporter of Georgia's presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze holds a newspaper with his portrait during a rally in Tbilisi, Georgia, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Several thousand people filled a square...   (Associated Press)
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Statements of the candidates on election legitimacy
President of Georgia

 
Georgia • protests • Tbilisi • Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe • election monitors • Mikheil Saakashvili • Levan Gachechiladze • runoff election • presidential election

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