Opposition European Georgia party MPs refuse to take up mandates in parliament

The European Georgia opposition party, which has received five mandates in the 150-member parliament, has refused to have its MPs take up their mandates in parliament and participate in the election run-off on November 21 in several majoritarian constituencies. 

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The party members have stated that the Georgian Dream government has fabricated the elections ‘with the help of state agencies and criminal groups’. 

Entering the parliament will equal joining the Georgian Dream party and will mean the legitimation of the illegitimate elections,” one of the leaders of the party Gigi Ugulava said. 

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He stated that the opposition will take to the streets on November 8. 

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The United National Movement opposition party, which received 34 mandates in the elections, also says that they will not enter the legislative body, like the members of five of nine political parties who have overcome the one per cent election threshold in the proportional elections.

Taking to the street is the right decision to exercise pressure on the government and make them admit their guilt (that they fabricated the elections),” Girchi leader Zurab Japaridze said. 

Now the opposition members are meeting the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission. 

Former Vice Speaker of parliament Tamar Chugoshvili says that the opposition will make a 'big mistake' if they will not enter parliament as the elections have international legitimation. Photo: parliament of Georgia press office.

International observers and embassies have stated that the elections were ‘mostly competitive and free.’ 

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The ruling Georgian Dream party says that the opposition has failed to accept the election results in a dignified manner. 

Former Parliament Vice-Speaker Tamar Chugoshvili says that the opposition will make a ‘big mistake’ if they refuse to enter the parliament. 

The elections have international legitimation and neither people nor the international community will understand why the opposition refuses to enter the legislative body,” Chugoshvili said. 

She also said that the opposition has taken more mandates in the elections than ever and their being in parliament will make a difference.