The October 27th presidential election was a defining moment in Georgia’s recent history in more than one way. First of all, it marked the end of the almost 10-year presidency of Mikheil Saakashvili, an important and contradictory period. Saakashvili’s rule saw the building of the genuine foundations of a new state, but was marred by the increasingly authoritarian style of governance in the final years, as well as the irreparably damaged relations with Russia – a mixed legacy, to put it in a nutshell. Secondly, on the day of inauguration, November 17, Georgia ceased to be a presidential republic and became a parliamentary one, with greater responsibilities vested in the office of the prime minister.