PM Gakharia casts his vote: ‘gov’t, opposition must learn to work together’

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. 

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He has expressed hope that the political process will return to parliament after the second round of elections. 

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Georgian people who cast their votes (amid the pandemic) in the first and second round of elections granted us a huge responsibility. Every politician who has appeared in parliament must feel the responsibility and the political process must return to parliament. Despite the differences between us, we must learn to negotiate, to take responsibilities and to work together. This is the will of the Georgian people,” Gakharia said. 

Opposition MPs say that they will not take up their mandates in parliament. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has also cast her vote, expressed hope that Georgia will have a ‘very effective and a multi-party parliament.’ 

Opposition parties took to the street following the October 31 elections. 

They say that the elections were fabricated and are demanding repeat elections. 

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Opposition candidates have refused to participate in the run-offs. However, per the election code, their names remain on ballot papers and voters are able to vote for them.