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Georgia New Parties and Shevardnadze's Return
After his return to Georgia in March 1992, Shevardnadze
constantly stressed the temporary nature of the new power
structure and called for elections as soon as possible. But the
leadership postponed balloting until October 1992 because it
lacked effective political control over many regions of the
country and because of factional wrangling over the new election
law. Registration of political parties, which had been suspended
by Gamsakhurdia in 1991, resumed early in 1992. Among new party
registrants was the Democratic Union, a group consisting mostly
of former members and officials of the communist party. Claiming
a broad mass following, this party had organizations in most
regions of the county. Although wooed by the Democratic Union and
other parties, Shevardnadze avoided party affiliation in order to
maintain his independent position. The parliament that would be
elected in October 1992 clearly would be an interim body given
the task of writing a new constitution. Accordingly, the term of
office was set for three years.
Data as of March 1994
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