PM Garibashvili: opposition has two choices

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that the country’s opposition has two choices: ‘either listen to the EU and the US partners and take up their mandates in the state legislature, or continue their marginal actions.’ 

Garibashvili said earlier today that the recent hearing in the US Senate and the statements of EU officials ‘that 2020 parliamentary elections in Georgia were free and competitive’ have put an end to the opposition’s speculations and made them make a choice. 

The opposition can listen to our partners and end the artificial crisis and masquerade,” Garibashvili said. 

He stated that the opposition announced a rally on May 15, in around two months, because ‘they have zero support from the people.’ 

Leader of European Georgia opposition party Sergi Kapanadze has stated that ‘it’s better for the ruling party to act constructively’ during the EU-mediated talks. 

He said that if the ruling party refuses to take the warning of the country's international partners, the current crisis will be further complicated. 

Opposition has plans to take to the street in mid-May if no agreement is reached with the ruling party. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

The EU mediator in the talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition on the issues of repeat parliamentary elections and the release of opposition figures Christian Danielsson will travel back to Georgia by the end of the week to help the parties to come to an agreement. 

Danielsson, who was sent to Georgia by European Council President Charles Michel on March 12, had spent a week in Georgia, more than scheduled, to help the parties come to an agreement. 

However, earlier on March 19 he left the country after mediation had ended without result. 

The Georgian opposition parties which have won seats in the 10th convocation of the Georgian parliament say that the last year parliamentary elections were fabricated and have been demanding repeat elections since November 2020. 

The arrest of the head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia for his refusal to pay bail on February 23, 2021 further complicated the political tension. 

The top demands of the opposition include the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections, the release of Melia and the co-founder of the opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi Giorgi Rurua who was convicted last year for the illegal possession and carrying of firearms.