PM on protests: we must understand that the people gave us the mandate to take care of Georgia

Georgian PM Giorgi Gakharia says that there are no alternatives to negotiations. Photo: government of Georgia press office. 

Agenda.ge, 12 Nov 2020 - 11:50, Tbilisi,Georgia

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. 

Our citizens tasked us all with rapidly finding a way out from the current political situation,” Gakharia stated. 

He said that nine political parties entered parliament following the October 31 parliamentary elections. 

Our citizens came to ballot boxes amid the pandemic and allowed nine political parties to make decisions in parliament which is a big responsibility. All political forces in the country must understand that our people gave us the mandate to jointly take care of the country to cope with the pandemic, the economic crisis and ensure the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration. Our people told us that the parliament is the place where the country’s fate must be decided and not the street,” Gakharia said. 

There are controversies among opposition parties on the rallies. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

He stated that ‘I am sure everyone will understand the message of the Georgian people’. 

Gakharia stated that there are no alternatives to negotiations and that the government is working on the fourth stage of the post-crisis plan - on how to ensure support for people and businesses. 

The government must do its best in the post-crisis period to ensure economic growth,” Gakharia said. 

He urged the people to stick to recommendations and allow the country’s health system work appropriately. 

Gakharia stated that healthcare services must be used by the individuals ‘who need it most.’ 

Georgian opposition parties took to the street following the elections, stating that the elections were fabricated. 

They are demanding repeat elections, dismissal of the head of Georgia’s Central Election Commission Tamar Zhvania and the recompostion of the commission.