Senator Jim Risch calls upon Georgian gov’t to keep election promise

Senator Jim Risch has called upon the Georgian government to cooperate with the opposition. Photo: politico. 

Agenda.ge, 20 Dec 2019 - 16:13, Tbilisi,Georgia

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch has called upon the Georgian government to keep its election promise on an early transition to a fully proportional electoral system starting from 2020 instead of scheduled 2024, in his interview with Voice of America. 

He also encouraged the Georgian government to cooperate with the opposition to find an outcome to the current tension in the country, sparked by the rejection of the ruling party proposed election bill on November 14. 

US Congressmen Adam Kinzinger and Gerry Connolly also sent a letter to Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia last week, stating that they were “shocked to hear about the collapse of promised reforms in the Georgian parliament to move to a proportional electoral system.” 

The delegation of the Georgian parliament has met with the US Congressman Kinzinger in the Washington. Photo: parliament of Georgia press office. 

Georgian FM  David Zalkaliani responded to the congressmen that “much controversial information is reaching Washington and maintaining correct and timely communication with them plays an important role.” 

The Georgian parliament delegation met with Kinzinger yesterday in Washington. 

The letter by the congressmen conveys a sense of support for Georgia which we all greatly appreciate. The current processes in Georgia have led to some contradictory information in Washington. In response to the destructive steps and the willingness of the radical opposition to destroy the image of Georgia abroad, we will continue to communicate intensively with our partners and provide them with objective information on current developments in Georgia,” head of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Irakli Beraia said. 

Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia  says that the US position and views are of “highest importance” for Georgia.