On 30 November, a meeting between the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party and the opposition took place where the introduction of a German model of a mixed election system was discussed. After six hours of discussion, the meeting did bare any results.
Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani said that the “German model” suggested by the parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition is “anti-constitutional”. „The Georgian Dream is the team that places the country in the first place and, therefore, it is ready for the dialogue. However, our position that no constitutional changes are possible now, remains unchanged,” she stated.
The opposition representatives did find nothing anti-constitutional in the “German model” of electoral system. United National Movement leader Grigol Vashadze said that the meeting ended without results because the ruling party refused to discuss the electoral model offered by the opposition. Nevertheless, he said, the opposition is ready to continue a dialogue along with protest rallies. The same statement came from the representatives of Europena Georgia.
For reminder, the opposition proposed (Caucasus Watch reported) that the Parliament shall consist of 77 members elected under the proportional system and 73 members elected under the majoritarian system. As a result of the elections held under the proportional system, the seats will be distributed among the political parties and election blocs that receive at least 3% of votes. The rules and terms for participation in elections, as well as the rules for the distribution of seats, shall be determined by the election law. In addition, every voter registered in a multi-mandate constituency shall have the right to give one vote to a majoritarian candidate and the other vote to a party
Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze said that the ruling party was ready to give time to opposition to continue their protest within the legislation “as they wish.'' „Of course, we consider that no political agreement can be achieved that way,'' he said, noting that a political agreement can be reached only in “political formats.
The members of the civil society in Georgia outed their discontent that no representative from their ranks participated at the meeting. One of the organisers of current protest rallies, Shota Digmelashvili said that the demonstrations will not end, rather “become sharper”.
Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze said GD is ready to give time to opposition to continue their protest within the legislation “as they wish”. Of course, we consider that no political agreement can be achieved that way”, Talakvadze said, noting that a political agreement can be reached only in “political formats
Diglemashvili considers that civic activists should have also been invited at today’s discussions, because as protests rallies are being organised by them, none of the politicians can promise the government the suspension of demonstrations on their behalf.
The meeting between the ruling party and the opposition parties was facilitated by the EU and US embassies in Georgia. Although the meeting brought no results, both the EU and US ambassadors praised the fact that the discussions were held. The EU ambassador to Georgia, Carl Hartzell said that a very useful and mutually beneficial discussion was held. Adding that the discussions demonstrated the potential for decreasing political polarisation in the country. Acting US Ambassador to Georgia Elisabeth Rood said that many versions of election models were considered during the meeting and that the sides agreed to continue discussions. “We had the expectations and hope that discussion would begin for the restoration of trust and for resolution of problems that we are facing today. I am glad that our expectations were met and the dialogue took place,” she stated. The Secretary of the Venice Commission Thomas Markert also attended the meeting to provide advice and expertise to the process.
