Georgian parliament speaker: no democratic state happy to see its parliament stormed

Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze has told more than 500 foreign and local guests at the Tbilisi International Conference that no foreign country is happy to see its parliament stormed by protestors, commenting on the June 20-21 rallies in central Tbilisi.

Changes in the country can be carried out only through elections. It is the responsibility of the current state leadership not to allow major changes to take place with the use of forcible methods,” Talakvadze stated during the fifth Tbilisi International Conference – Now What?, organised by the McCain Institute for International Leadership and the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC).

He said it was “regrettable” that people had been injured during the rally dispersal on June 20. 

However, stated that there was no other way to stop the violence and prevent a possible political crisis.

Talakvadze said that the recent government reshuffle came after consultations in the Georgian Dream ruling party, which is “very common in parliamentary republics.”

The conference, which brings together regional experts on security issues, Georgian policymakers, civil society activists, and the business community, will end tomorrow.

Georgia’s progress towards NATO and the EU, its democratic and economic issues are on the top of the agenda of the conference.