Guide Note
Mikheil Saakashvili is the current President of Georgia and leader of the bloodless Rose Revolution in 2003. On January 24, 2004, he became the youngest leader in Europe when he was elected president with 96% of the vote.
August 15, 2008: Saakashvili announced that he signed a cease-fire deal with Russia reportedly ending hostilities over the break-away region of South Ossetia.1
Fast Facts
- Born: December 21, 1967
- Birthplace: Tbilisi, Soviet Union
- President of Georgia: January 25, 2004 to present
- Leader of the United National Movement
- Lead the Rose Revolution in 2003
- Married to Sandra E. Roelofs
Saakashvili's Presidency
As president, Mikheil Saakashvili has worked to lower taxes and raise the collection rate in Georgia, decrease corruption in government, and maintain control of areas dominated by separatist leaders.
While he has worked to improve relations with Russia, Saakashvili is strongly pro-western and favors Georgian membership in both the European Union and NATO. He has been criticized for tightening control on the media and for alleged politically motivated arrests of opposition members.
In November of 2007, the opposition staged a series of rallies and demonstrations to which Saakadhvili responded, generating intense international criticism, by announcing a state of emergency.
The crisis ended with the announcement of early elections, which Saakadhvili won with more than 52% of the vote.
South Ossetia Dispute
Tensions between Georgia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia began to escalate in August 2008. On August 8, 2008, Georgia launched a major military offensive against South Ossetia, in hopes of regaining control over the region. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin promised a response to Georgia's move in South Ossetia. Russian fighter jets reportedly entered Georgian airspace, dropping bombs on the area. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili claimed his country was "under attack" by Russia.
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