Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili for the first time cited reasons that he believes caused United National Movement party's defeat at the recent parliamentary elections.

"We have established Georgia's most successful government in modern history of the country, but the key factors of our defeat at the election were a high level of unemployment and a severe social background. Due to these factors there had been a solid ground for all kinds of populism in Georgia," the president said at a meeting of the ruling party.

Saakashvili's UNM lost the October 1 parliamentary elections and claimed only 67 out of 150 seats in parliament, while rival bloc Georgian Dream of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili won the election, gaining 83 seats. With a majority in parliament, Ivanishvili is the favorite to become prime minister. Saakashvili will remain president until his current term -- his last under constitutional term limits -- ends in October 2013.

According to President Saakashvili, UNM should draw conclusions from its electoral defeat, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

"The defeat should be rectification and renewal as well as beginning of a new stage for our party. I am sure that the United National Movement will maintain a decisive role in the political life of the country," Saakashvili said.

Saakashvili emphasized that there are fundamental differences between the winning Georgian Dream opposition bloc and his party.

"We are enabling a new government not only the right to form the cabinet completely, but also left for them the largest budget resource in the new history of Georgia," Saakashvili said. "No matter what is said, the left multibillion dollar resource is the result of honest work of our government. We left for the new government well-functioning institutions and very good infrastructure, so they have to use all of these to deliver on the promises given to the people."

"Our views on the development vector of Georgia are fundamentally different. Our idea dwells upon the creation of the Georgian state," Saakashvili said, expressing hope that the new government would continue to pursue this goal.

Last week, President Saakashvili promised to hand over power to Bidzina Ivanishvili "without incidents".

U.S. praises election

US Ambassador Richard Norland praised the parliamentary elections held in Georgia and noted that Saakashvili showed statesmanship.

"October 2012 will be the moment of dramatic and significant transformations in Georgia's history since competitive elections were held and a new government is to be created. President Saakashvili showed state and civil wisdom. I am sure that the process of transfer of power will continue professionally," Norland told journalists on Monday.

The ambassador also touched on the role of civil society in the political process and said the non-governmental sector has to play its role in the electoral process.

"Civil society has played a crucial role in this process," the ambassador said, calling on the non-governmental sector for neutrality and democracy.

"Civil society is not only a counterweight and balance, but a critical partner in political relations. NGOs should maintain neutrality and democracy and be in open and constructive dialogue with the parties. Fortunately, Georgia has a number of experts who are ready to fulfill this role," the ambassador said.

Norland also called on the Georgian government to be open in its relations with the non-governmental sector.

Since the parliamentary elections, newly appointed Ambassador Norland has met several times with Georgian Dream leader Ivanishvili to discuss future development of relations between the two countries.