US, EU urge for dialogue between gov’t, political parties and civil sector amid protests in Tbilisi

The US Embassy to Georgia and the EU delegation to the county have released a joint statement amid public protests in Tbilisi triggered by the rejection of an election bill, urging for “immediate work to restore trust through a calm and respectful dialogue between the government and all political parties and civil society with a view to finding an acceptable path forward.”

We fully support the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We call on all parties exercising this right to do so in a lawful manner and within the framework of the Constitution. We encourage all sides to act in the country’s best interest,” the statement reads.

The EU delegation and the US Embassy say that they “recognise the deep disappointment” of much of segment of Georgian society at the failure of parliament to pass the constitutional amendments required to move to fully proportional parliamentary elections in 2020.

Protesters do not allow MPs enter parliament. Photo: netgazeti. 

The decision taken last summer to accelerate the transition to proportional elections was understood as an important step forward in Georgia’s democracy, and there was political consensus behind it and a joint commitment from all sides to work towards this end. The unexpected halting of this process last Thursday has increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and other political parties and civil society,” the statement reads.

Opposition and civic activists were holding two parallel rallies yesterday, protesting the rejection of the bill last Thursday, as 40 ruling Georgian Dream party MPs either voted against or abstained from voting for the ruling party proposed changes in the summer.

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The protesters blocked the entrance to the parliament building of Georgia.

Public Defender Nino Lomjaria says that blocking the parliament building is unlawful, but that the MPs who refused to keep their promise regarding the bill are responsible for the current tension.

The Georgian Interior Ministry says that about 5,500 people rallied in front of parliament building yesterday, while the opposition and the Reuters international agency say that the figure stood at 20,000.