Introduction

Abstract

Following a quarter century of independence, the post-Soviet states situated between the European Union (EU) and the Russian Federation show contrasting trends of democratic development. Armenia, Belarus and Azerbaijan are characterized by most democracy indices as authoritarian or semi-authoritarian states, whereas Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are considered as hybrid regimes or unconsolidated democracies. Moreover, whereas Georgia and Ukraine have experienced numerous democratic breakthroughs, such as the 2003-2004 electoral revolts dubbed as “color revolutions,” the 2013 “Euromaidan” protests in Ukraine and the 2012 electoral transfer of power in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus have witnessed the continuous rule of the same ruling class by means of falsified elections and referendums.