Dateline: BUCHAREST

Am aflat ce se ascunde in spatele diabolicului sondaj clocit de diabolicul S.O. Vantu si Insomar! Luati si voi informatii proaspete si incendiare de la ziarul Tricolorul. Insa, am si eu o mare rugaminte la Dvs., daca se poate si nu va deranjeaza. Nu mai spuneti la nimeni, da???

[Pentru cei care nu sunt pasionati de politica - si, deci, nu sunt romani -, dar sunt pasionati de femei, va recomand o poza cu o domnisoara draguta, o buna romanca si crestina, pe partea din dreapta a paginii aceluiasi ziar. Eu zic ca spune multe despre noi daca pana si ziarele de extrema dreapta au poze cu gagici in costume de baie pe ele. O tempora, o mores...]

Alex from the Messenger [Tbilisi's English language daily] has been liveblogging throughout election day in Georgia. FYI, I am talking about Parliamentary elections, contested by 9 parties and 3 electoral blocks.

The big issue at stake here is actually having the elections generally regarded as free and fair by the international community. That would be a big plus in terms of strengthening Georgia’s democratic credentials and helping it to secure the NATO Membership Action Plan in December.

The small issue here is whether Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM) is able to hold on to a Parliamentary majority. The opposition is made up of largely Pro-Western parties, who are quite vocal against Saakashvili’s strong style of leadership [authoritarian might be another way to put it].

Anyway, the quick facts here [too tired to give you any fine print now]:
_ turnout: 55%
_ exit poll: UNM at 63%
_ opposition cry foul.

I will keep you updated with any major developments. In case I forget or I don’t have time, just check the Messenger’s blog.