Ruling party: 'we've made two electoral system offers to opposition'

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) Secretary General and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze says that GD has made two offers to the opposition on how to hold the 2020 parliamentary elections. 

Kaladze says that the offers pertain to the distribution of seats in the 150-member parliament. 

There have been two options offered by us. The 100/50 and 110/40 electoral systems [in which 100 or 110 seats are distributed per the votes received in proportional elections and remaining 50 or 40 seats per the majoritarian elections],” Kaladze said. 

He stated that there is disagreement within the opposition which makes it difficult to reach an agreement. 

However, I am sure some kind of agreement will take place [between the ruling party and the opposition],” Kaladze said. 

The opposition, which demanded a fully proportional electoral system for the 2020 race, says that the ruling party is trying to ‘stretch time and cheat people and the international community.’ 

The opposition says that the GD ‘is not interested in making a deal with the opposition on the 2020 elections,’ as ‘it is eager’ to hold the upcoming elections per the current model which allocates 73 [of total 150] seats for majoritarian MPs. 

The opposition says that the ruling party does not want an agreement, while the ruling party says the same about the opposition. Photo: 1TV. 

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell says that if the ruling party and the opposition make an agreement on the 2020 elections, it will be a “strong message” for the international community that something is changing in Georgia’s political environment. 

If the ruling party and the opposition fail to make a deal this week, the 2020 elections will be held per 76/73 electoral system, with 76 seats distributed per the votes received in proportional elections and 73 in the majoritarian elections. 

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.