UNM’s presence or absence in Parliament makes “no difference” - ruling party head

Irakli Kobakhidze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Wednesday said the United National Movement opposition party’s participation in, or absence from, Parliamentary work made “no essential difference”.

The comment came following the announcement by the largest opposition group in the country earlier during the day about the end of the boycott of the legislative body. 

UNM’s move ends the boycott launched by the party on February 6, in response to the court ruling that denied the imprisoned former President and party founder Mikheil Saakashvili release or postponement of his prison term on health grounds. 

In remarks on the party’s return to the legislative body, Kobakhidze said UNM lacked “both intellectual and other resources” to either become involved in Parliamentary work or organise street rallies against the Government. 

He also noted the party, along with several other opposition groups, had refused to join the Government’s efforts to meet the conditions outlined last year for the country’s European Union membership candidate status, while noting the process was now in the “final stage”. 

The Parliament has adopted all bills related to the conditions without UNM’s engagement in the process. Now two conditions out of total 12 are left to be fulfilled, with related bills already proposed. Thus, [the party’s] presence in the body makes no essential difference”, said the lawmaker. 

The European Council is scheduled to decide on Georgia’s membership candidate status by the end of this year, following the country’s official application for the bloc’s membership last year and subsequent granting of a European perspective to it.