Opposition unity on verge of agreeing on joint candidates in Tbilisi

The United National Movement opposition (UNM) says that ‘as the biggest opposition party’ they will not nominate candidates in six of eight majoritarian constituencies in Tbilisi, allowing other opposition candidates, from the united opposition, ‘to win the race.’ 

UNM MP Salome Samadashvili has stated earlier today that through ‘making the concession’ her party gave a big push to the opposition unity to agree on joint candidates in the 2020 parliamentary elections in the autumn. 

Meanwhile, UNM member Nika Melia said that the party is ready for consultations about joint candidates ‘not only in Tbilisi, but also in the regions.’ 

Per the ruling Georgian Dream party and the united opposition agreement on March 8, 2019, in talks mediated by the diplomatic corps, 120 seats in the legislative body will be distributed via a proportional vote and the remaining 30 via the majoritarian system only for this year’s parliamentary elections. 

• As of now Georgia has a mixed electoral system with 77 seats in its 150-member parliament allocated proportionally under the party-list among parties or electoral blocs which clear a 5 per cent threshold in the race.
• The remaining 73 MPs are elected in 73 single-member districts, known as “majoritarian” mandates. A majoritarian MP candidate has to gain more than 50 per cent of votes to take a seat in the legislative body.

The ruling party says that the opposition has no public support. Photo: 1TV.

Leader of the Republican Party David Berdzenishvili says that the UNM, European Georgia party and Lelo for Georgia party should each receive two seats, while the Labour party and Aleko Elisashvili’s civic movement should also receive one seat majoritarian spots in Tbilisi under the name of the united opposition. 

The parliament has not yet voted on the constitutional changes which will allow the decrease of majoritarian seats in parliament for this year’s elections. 

• Electoral reform agreement bill tabled - what’s in it?

The opposition says that they will not vote for the amendments until the ruling party ‘fully abides by the March 8 election agreement and releases a co-founder of the opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi Gioirgi Rurua.’ 

• Opposition demands TV channel co-founder Rurua’s release, announces rally in June

If the parliament fails to pass the amendments, the upcoming elections will be conducted per the current, 77/73, electoral system. 

Georgia is scheduled to transition to a fully proportional election starting from 2024.