EU Ambassadors welcome ruling party initiative to hold 2020 elections on proportional system
The holding of snap parliamentary elections on a proportional electoral system was one of the key demands of the peaceful demonstrators which have been rallying on Rustaveli Aveniue in Tbilisi since June 20. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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The European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said Ambassadors of EU members states welcome the Georgian Dream ruling party’s decision to conduct the 2020 parliamentary elections on the proportional electoral system alone.
Events of recent days have shown the need for dialogue, consultation and compromise in addressing the challenges Georgian society is facing”, Ambassador Hartzell stated.
He said this decision “presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to come together to agree a way forward that strengthens parliamentary democracy and pluralism in Georgia”.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
We expect a broad and consultative process and call on all sides to engage in good faith. We also recall the importance of addressing the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations in a timely and inclusive manner, in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections”, he said.
Ambassadors also “welcome the commitment to investigate the events that unfolded during the night of 20 June, in line with calls made by the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner and others, and look forward to a transparent and swift process with the involvement of the Public Defender”.
They further reiterate that “demonstrations must remain peaceful and urge everyone to act within the framework of the Constitution at all times”.
As committed friends and partners of Georgia, we call on all sides to act in the country's best interest”, Ambassador Hartzell added.
Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The Georgian Dream ruling party has announced that they are ready to conduct the 2020 parliamentary elections on the proportional electoral system only, which has been one of the top demands of demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi since June 20.
The ruling party has already met two demands of protesters – accepting the conduct of the parliamentary elections on the proportional system and suspending ten law enforcers from duty due to possible abuse of power during the June 20-21 rally in central Tbilisi.
Two other demands of the demonstrators are the dismissal of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia and the release of individuals detained during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi, which was sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament.
Ukraine's former president Petro Poroshenko has urged citizens of his country to travel to Georgian resorts and counter Russia's efforts to "weaken Georgia economically" following president Vladimir Putin's ban on flights to the country.
Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia has requested parliament in an official letter to allow him to speak about the June 20-21 developments and rallies in Tbilisi at the parliament’s plenary session tomorrow, the Ministry of Internal Affairs says.
Ten law enforcers have been suspended from duty due to possible abuse of power during the June 20-21 rally in central Tbilisi, sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in Georgia, the Georgian Interior Ministry says.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into police actions during the June 20-21 rallies in central Tbilisi, which left 305 detained and 240 injured.
Composed again largely of youth, the demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament of Georgia on the fifth consecutive day. Monday's peaceful demonstration ended at around 12 a.m. with the protesters marching around the parliament of Georgia holding hands and singing the national anthem. Calling everyone to rejoin them every day at 7 p.m. on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi, the organisers say their other demands still need to be fulfilled.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that after 2020 parliamentary elections the county may have a coalition government, as, for the first time, the race is likely to take place with the proportional electoral system with a zero threshold.
The United National Movement and the European Georgia opposition have boycotted the plenary session in parliament earlier today, after the Georgian Dream ruling party declined to discuss a resolution text on the dismissal of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia, drafted by European Georgia MPs.
Archil Talakvadze, 36, a leader of the Georgian Dream ruling party majority, has been elected a new chairperson of the legislative body after the resignation of Irakli Kobakhidze on June 21.
A member of the United National Movement parliamentary opposition, MP Nika Melia has been charged with organising violence by a group, heading the group and participation in the violence during the June 20-21 rallies in Tbilisi, the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office says.