Mikheil Saakashvili

Mikheil Saakashvili, 2020

Mikheil Saakashvili (born December 21, 1967) is a Georgian and Ukrainian politician and jurist. He served as the third President of Georgia from 2004 to 2013. Saakashvili is known for his pro-Western stance and efforts to integrate Georgia into NATO and the European Union.

Early Life and Education

Saakashvili was born in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. He graduated from the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 1992. He later studied at Columbia Law School in the United States, where he earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Saakashvili also attended the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

Political Career

Early Political Involvement

Saakashvili began his political career in the early 1990s. He was elected to the Parliament of Georgia in 1995 as a member of the Union of Citizens of Georgia. He served as the chairman of the parliamentary committee on constitutional, legal issues, and law enforcement.

Minister of Justice

In 2000, Saakashvili was appointed as the Minister of Justice of Georgia. During his tenure, he focused on combating corruption and implementing judicial reforms. However, he resigned in 2001, citing frustration with the slow pace of reforms.

Rose Revolution

Saakashvili played a key role in the Rose Revolution of 2003, which led to the resignation of President Eduard Shevardnadze. The revolution was a peaceful protest movement that demanded fair elections and an end to corruption.

Presidency

Saakashvili was elected President of Georgia in January 2004. His presidency was marked by significant economic reforms, efforts to reduce corruption, and a strong push for integration with Western institutions. He was re-elected in 2008 but faced criticism for his handling of the Russo-Georgian War and allegations of authoritarianism.

Post-Presidency

After leaving office in 2013, Saakashvili moved to Ukraine. In 2015, he was appointed as the Governor of Odessa Oblast by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. He resigned in 2016, citing corruption and lack of support for his reforms.

Legal Issues

Saakashvili has faced multiple legal challenges in Georgia, including charges of abuse of power and embezzlement. He has denied all charges, claiming they are politically motivated.

Personal Life

Saakashvili is married to Sandra Roelofs, a Dutch-born medical doctor. They have two sons.

See Also

• Rose Revolution
• Russo-Georgian War
• Politics of Georgia (country)
• Governors of Odessa Oblast