MEPs: Georgian gov’t should immediately start dialogue with opposition
MEPs say that they are ready to play a constructive role in a dialogue between the opposition and the ruling party. Photo: EP.
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MEPs Andrius Kubilius, Rasa Jukneviciene and Lithuanian MP Zygimantas Pavilionis have responded to the Georgian opposition’s election-related rallies in Tbilisi and said in a joint statement that the Georgian government should start a dialogue with the opposition.
The statement reads that the post-election period in Georgia ‘is a matter of concern for us.’
While the elections were competitive and voters had real alternatives to choose from, the conduct of elections was impacted by pervasive allegations of pressure on voters, with all observer organisations noting a blurred line between the state and the ruling party throughout the campaign and on election day, which, as a result, has reduced public confidence,” said the statement.
#Georgia Government & ruling party should immediately start dialogue w opposition & inclusive legal process for remedying substantiated electoral violations. #OSCE and #CoE - to assess complains & evidences of electoral irregularities. Full statement???? https://t.co/SCkjBcOxYf
— Andrius Kubilius (@KubiliusA) November 11, 2020
The statement says that the Georgian government ‘has the responsibility to address these outstanding problems’ and reach out for immediate dialogue with opposition and find a speedy solution ‘for this difficult moment for the Georgian democracy.’
We stand ready to assist and play a constructive role in this dialogue. We urge Georgian authorities to restrict usage of police force against peaceful demonstrators and not to provoke violence on the streets,” the statement said.
The opposition, which took to the street following the October 31 parliamentary elections, says that the elections were fabricated.
The ruling party states that the elections were conducted in line with democratic standards and advises the opposition to sit down at the negotiation table.
The first meeting following the elections between the members of the ruling party and the opposition was held at the headquarters of the US Embassy in Tbilisi earlier today.
The High Council of Justice of Georgia has stated earlier today that opposition politicians are ‘lying and trying to mislead people’ when they say that the court rejected 99 per cent of the opposition’s election-related suits.
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.
Opposition parties that claim the October 31 parliamentary elections were fabricated will continue rallies on Saturday, November 14, at 15:00, in central Tbilisi.
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.
Opposition parties and their supporters have again gathered in front of the parliament of Georgia in central Tbilisi to protest the results of the recent parliamentary elections. The United National Movement (UNM) leader Nika Melia claimed in his public address that the opposition remains strongly united and no one, including the ‘special services of the regime’, will be able to harm their unity.