PM Gakharia on election run-off: Georgia should return to normal, legal political process
The second-round of elections will take place in Georgia on Saturday. Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says that the November 21 election run-off in 17 election constituencies is of top importance for the country to return to a ‘normal and legal political process.'
Gakharia stated earlier today that in the October 31 parliamentary elections the Georgian people came to ballot boxes amid the pandemic and allowed nine political parties to enter parliament.
The Georgian people made all the parties responsible for taking care of the country and jointly deal with the existing challenges. I am sure that all political parties who have appeared in parliament understand the responsibility and will act in the way the Georgian people deserve,” Gakharia said.
He stated that a stable political process in the country is vital for Georgia to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, economic crisis and regional challenges.
Opposition parties are demanding repeat elections. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Eight opposition parties took to the street following the October 31 parliamentary elections.
They say that the Georgian Dream government fabricated the elections; they are now demanding repeat elections.
- EPs of the EU parliament: 'elections were competitive, freedoms were respected'
- OSCE PA leaders: 'political actors in Georgia should resolve deadlock, participate in the work of the new parliament'
The parties vow that they will not take up their mandates in parliament.
The US Department of State encouraged Georgian opposition parties yesterday to stop rallies and enter parliament, as did several MEPs.
The US Department of State has released a long statement by its two senior officials (who have not been identified) earlier today, following the visit of US state Secretary Mike Pompeo to Georgia.
The opposition European Georgia party says that it will recall all its 1,922 commission members from 17 election constituencies where the second-round of elections will take place on Saturday.
The ruling Georgian Dream party says it will not consider holding repeat parliamentary elections, Tbilisi Mayor and the ruling party secretary general Kakha Kaladze has announced in response to the opposition's demand.
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.
The curfew in seven big cities of Georgia will be lifted on November 20-21, for the second-round of elections.
Election run-offs are held in 17 election constituencies in Georgia today, as well as a snap election of Kutaisi mayor. The second-round of elections are conducted as none of majoritarian candidates in the 17 constituencies and for Kutaisi mayor were able to receive at least 51 per cent of votes in the first round of elections on October 31. All polling stations were opened at 8 a.m. around the country except two polling stations in Gudauri and one polling station in Shatili due to bad weather.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who has cast his vote in the election run-offs earlier today, has stated that the government and the opposition must learn to work together to benefit the country.