Ruling party says repeat elections not on agenda
Having nominated a new prime minister the ruling party is now preparing to approve cabinet of ministers in coming weeks. Photo: Georgian Dream's Facebook page
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Ruling Georgian Dream party member Mamuka Mdinaradze says that any discussion on holding repeat parliamentary elections is ‘speculative', responding to the opposition’s demand that snap elections be held in the country.
If the opposition was and is still expecting any suggestion on their main demand, the parliament has set up an investigative commission [to answer the questions] about the election issues upon the initiative of the Georgian Dream faction and they can join it”, Mdinaradze has stated earlier today.
Welcoming Giorgi Gakharia’s resignation from the prime minister’s position earlier today, opposition United National Movement chair Nika Melia said that the ruling party and the opposition ‘must come to an agreement’ on repeat parliamentary elections.
- Gakharia after resignation: confrontation, rivalry in Georgia endanger democratic, economic development
- Police ‘postpone’ Melia’s arrest as PM resigns
Announcing his resignation following yesterday's court ruling against Melia, Gakharia said although the UNM leader had violated the law, it was not the right time for his detention.
Giorgi Gakharia has tweeted after his resignation:
I believe that confrontation and rivalry within the country endanger the future of ????????'s democratic & economic development. Therefore, I have announced my resignation in the hope to reduce polarization & deescalate the situation.
— Giorgi Gakharia (@GakhariaGiorgi) February 18, 2021
Meanwhile, noting that the country is facing 'extremely serious challenges' the United States Embassy said the US 'stands ready to assist Georgia in finding a solution to the current crisis and to return focus to creating jobs, reducing poverty, and rebuilding the economy'.
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) February 18, 2021
Preparing to form a new cabinet of ministers in the coming days, Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze said the Georgian Dream 'is in full control of its move forward'.
Parliament of ???????? will form a new Cabinet in the coming days. We will ensure continuity of govt policies for the benefit of our citizens. #GeorgianDream is in full control of its move forward!
— Archil Talakvadze (@A_Talakvadze) February 18, 2021
Georgian Dream has won the parliamentary elections in Georgia last year. However, claiming that the elections have been falsified in favour of the ruling party, opposition parties which have overcome the mandatory 1% threshold, demand repeat elections be held.