A US educated lawyer has been elected President of Georgia. Thirty six year old Mikhail Saakashvili led the so-called “velvet revolution” that ousted Eduard Shevardnadze from the Georgian leadership. His pledge? To clean up corruption in the republic.

He has also pledged to make the nation investor friendly and reduce unemployment and foreign debt, as well as to restore political stability.

Whether it will be possible to restore political stability is in doubt.

Two breakaway Georgian regions, Abhazia and Assetia, refused to take part in the poll.

There has been no comment as yet from Russia on the result, though it is expected the Kremlin will watch the young leader closely for signs that he is taking Georgia closer than comfort allows to the United States.

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