Ruling party ready to accept one of opposition’s demands for 2020 elections

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party is ready to accept one of the demands of the opposition for the 2020 elections which will make it impossible for a party to form a government if it receives less than 40 per cent of the vote. 

Parliament Chair Archil Talakvadze says that the ruling party is making ‘fair and pragmatic offers’ to the opposition to settle the row related to the upcoming parliamentary elections. 

He says that it is possible for the ruling party and the opposition to reach an agreement on how to hold the 2020 elections, adding that he sees ‘a constructive attitude from several, opposition parties.’ 

If the opposition still refuses to make a deal, they will have to answer the public and our partners,” Talakvadze says.

Leader of the European Georgia opposition party Giga Bokeria says that they have two top demands: one related to the formation of government which Talakvadze mentioned and the other – the ‘release of political prisoners.’ 

The ruling party says there are no political prisoners in the country and has urged the European Parliament to send a fact-finding commission. 

Bokeria says that another precondition to make a deal - the release of 'political prisoners' - is equally importnat. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

Why is there controversy over the 2020 elections? 

• The issue of 2020 elections was raised after parliament rejected the ruling party proposed election bill in November 2019, which allowed an early transition to a fully proportional electoral system starting from 2020, instead of scheduled 2024. 
• In June 2020, during protests in Tbilisi, the ruling party promised early transition to a fully proportional system and proposed a bill. 
• However, in November 2019 many of the ruling party majoritarian MPs refused to vote for the bill and it was rejected. 
• The opposition, which says that the majoritarian elections are unfair and benefiting ruling parties, has accused the GD of ‘deliberately rejecting the bill’ and took to the streets. 
• The ruling party officials said they were also ‘disappointed’ with the rejection and failed to persuade majoritarian MPs to vote for the bill. 
• The opposition and the ruling party have held four meetings, mediated by diplomatic corps, to reach a deal on the 2020 elections. 
• The ruling party offers a 100/50 electoral system for 2020 - 100 proportional and 50 majoritarian seats in parliament - which is unacceptable for the opposition.  
• After detention of Ugulava for embezzlement of 48 million GEL state funds, the opposition suspended the negotiations on election issues.