Ruling party calls on opposition to move political process from street to negotiations
Calling on opposition parties to prepare for the second round of majoritarian elections, the ruling party leaders say the acceptance of October 31 election results is the precondition for holding negotiations with the opposition. Photo: Georgian Dream press office
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The ruling Georgian Dream party has again called on opposition politicians to move the political processes from ‘destructive’ street protests to negotiations with the involvement of international partners.
Ruling party Secretary General and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated earlier today that this would be the most beneficial decision for the country and the voters.
Negotiations, a political consensus, and a businesslike atmosphere – this is precisely what Georgia and the Georgian people are expecting from us”, Kaladze said.
Noting that ‘Georgian people 'have already made their choice’ GD secretary general addressed opposition politicians that ‘one form of the freedom of expression must not override or be exercised at the expense of another’.
- Ruling party urges opposition to act constructively, prepare for 2nd round of elections
- Parliament Speaker: accepting election results by opposition is precondition for negotiations
He further added that the voter turnout on October 31 parliamentary elections is ‘a message to both the authorities and the opposition’ that they should ‘work together, constructively and in a consolidated manner for the welfare of the country’.
Refusing to take parliamentary mandates and to join the majoritarian run off, opposition parties are holding next protest rally on November 14 in Tbilisi, which will be followed by a livechain on the run off day on November 21. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Kaladze stated as well that compared to ‘raids on precincts, the incursion of armed and masked men in the precincts, the theft of ballot boxes, and the destruction of ballot papers on a massive scale’ prior to their governance, GD now strives 'to strengthen democratic institutions and bring them closer to western standards’ despite ‘some technical shortcomings’.
This is clearly evidenced by the 2020 parliamentary elections, as well as the subsequent process of reviewing complaints, recounting precincts on the basis of complaints with the direct participation of the authorised representatives of the opposition and nongovernmental organisations, the due consideration of their substantiated claims”, Kaladze said.
Calling on opposition parties to prepare for the second round of majoritarian elections, the ruling party leaders say the acceptance of October 31 election results is the precondition for holding negotiations with the opposition.
- European Georgia, Girchi, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo continue ‘long, peaceful protest’
- UNM opposition leader Vashadze calls for negotiations with ruling party
However, opposition parties, including United National Movement, European Georgia, Girchi, Strategy Aghmashenebeli and Lelo for Georgia which have overcome the 1% mandatory threshold, say they will continue their ‘peaceful protest against the rigged elections’.
Four opposition parties which overcame the 1% mandatory threshold in the October 31 parliamentary elections - European Georgia, Girchi, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Lelo for Georgia - have issued a joint statement earlier today confirming they will continue their ‘peaceful protest against the rigged elections’.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze says that the acceptance of October 31 election results is the precondition for holding negotiations with the opposition.
The leader of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Grigol Vashadze has called on other opposition parties to sit at a table with the ruling Georgian Dream party to resolve election-related complications.
The Georgian Dream ruling party has called on opposition parties not to follow radical political groups, return to a constructive mode of action and prepare for the second round of majoritarian elections.
Tbilisi City Court has sent Akaki Khuskivadze and Akaki Kobaladze to pre-trial detention for bribing and coercing the late head of Isani No.5 district Election Commission Tevdore Gobejishvili.
Opposition activities are rallying at various district election commissions in Tbilisi and in the regions, where commission members are making summaries of the results after a recount of votes in several constituencies.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has responded to the opposition’s election-related protests and said that all political parties in Georgia ‘must understand’ that the people have given them the mandate to take care of the country in the current period ‘which is full of challenges’ due to the pandemic. Gakharia, who has just recovered from coronavirus, stated earlier today that the fate of the county must be decided in parliament, not on the street.
The ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition politicians have held a second round of negotiations at the United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan’s residence earlier today. The parties have agreed not to reveal the details of the meeting.