Georgian PM to Donald Tusk: election reform, justice both crucial

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakaharia has responded to the President of the European People's Party (EPP) and former head of the European Council Donald Tusk, who urged the Georgian Dream government to ‘fully abide by the March 8 election agreement’ and release co-founder of the opposition-minded TV channel  Mtavari Arkhi Giorgi Rurua. 

Tusk, who chairs the party which is partnered with the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party, said that the 'EPP welcomed the March 8 Agreement between Georgia’s government and opposition as a key step to reduce tensions. We remain concerned that Giorgi Rurua is still in prison. We call for the full implementation of the agreement and Rurua’s release.”

Gakharia said that constitutional changes in Georgia are in progress and ‘I am sure the process will be complete as our country deserves this.’ 

The election system is critically important for Georgia’s further democratisation as well as the court to make decisions on concrete criminal cases or (alleged) offences,” Gakharia said. 

The opposition says that they will not vote for the election bill if Rurua remains in prison. 

The government and the ruling party say that they never interfere in the court’s issues as it is ‘unconstitutional and undemocratic.’