Mikhail Saakashvili

Guide Note

Mikhail 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.

As president he has worked to lower taxes and raise the collection rate, 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.

Fast Facts

1. Born: December 21, 1967
2. Birthplace: Tbilisi, Soviet Union
3. President of Georgia: January 25, 2004 to present
4. Leader of the United National Movement
5. Lead the Rose Revolution in 2003
6. Married to Sandra E. Roelofs