Trembling in Tbilisi

AMONG ex-Soviet states, where democracy is mostly a fragile flower, Georgia seemed to be a welcome exception. Its October election and the transfer of power that followed could have served as a model for others. The ruling United National Movement (UNM), lost a broadly fair parliamentary election, rather to the surprise of its leader, the president, Mikheil Saakashvili. He believed his party’s record of economic modernisation would bring victory. The opposition Georgian Dream coalition came to power, rather to the surprise of its leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili (pictured): the billionaire businessman had always claimed the election would be rigged against him.

Now things are going wrong. That is partly because power is divided: Mr Ivanishvili has now become prime minister, but Mr Saakashvili remains as president until the end of his term in October 2013 (he cannot run again). Most of the clout lies with the prime minister—and, despite initial pledges by the parties to work together, Georgian Dream is now using its authority aggressively. A score of UNM bigwigs have been arrested, including a former defence and interior minister, the chief of the general staff and the vice-mayor of Tbilisi. Charges against them include abuse of office, illegal detention and torture. Mr Ivanishvili’s government is also seeking to free people convicted in past years for spying for Russia and for terrorism (such as bombing the American embassy in Tbilisi).