On 30 June, many international actors praised the adoption of constitutional amendments regarding Georgian elections.
“We warmly congratulate the parliament of Georgia on today’s adoption of Constitutional amendments designed to increase parliamentary pluralism and allow for a more representative legislature. We recognise that these amendments reflect difficult compromises by Georgia’s political parties and commend those who ensured their successful passage. We regret the non-participation of some parties due to differences over the fulfilment of the 8 March agreement,” read the statement of the facilitators of the 8 March agreement. The ambassadors also urged all parties to now engage in the adoption and ‘effective implementation’ of the election reforms recommended by OSCE/ODIHR.
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles tweeted that the “adoption of constitutional amendments is a key moment in the promotion of greater political pluralism in the country in view of upcoming elections” and that “the EU will continue to stand by Georgia in its further election preparations.”
The EU parliamentarians Marina Kaljurand and Sven Mikser also released a joint statement on the adoption of Constitutional amendments. “We call on all the main political parties to take part in the spirit of the 8 March agreement and contribute to depolarising Georgia’s political environment. We also take the opportunity to congratulate our Georgian friends on the 6th anniversary of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. Building on Georgia’s impressive, multifaceted reform track, we expect to see the further consolidation of the rule of law and good governance in this key partner country and witness free and fair elections,” the statement emphasized. Another EU parliamentarian, Viola Von Cramon tweeted that Georgia still needed to work on 4 areas so that the amendments come into fruition, namely: 1) adopt an electoral code fully reflecting the ODIHR recommendations; 2) guarantee a peaceful and free pre-election period; 3) refrain from actions leading to polarization and violence; and 4) the ruling Georgian Dream party should resist the temptation of using administrative resources and unfair financial advantage for the upcoming elections.
The co-rapporteurs for Georgia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Titus Corlatean (Romania) and Claude Kern (France) also welcomed the adoption of the election bill, but regretted that the political agreement had not resulted in a less tense and polarised political environment. The US Department of State “applauded Georgia’s historic adoption of constitutional amendments”“ and urged Georgia’s parliament “to pass additional election reforms that ensure free, fair, and transparent elections later this year.”
Critical remarks were also made following the statement from German ambassador Hubert Knirsch and the reaction of the Georgian opposition (Caucasus Watch reported) despite the praises Georgia received over the adoption of the constitutional amendments. “We condemn the attacks of certain political actors and media outlets against our colleague, Hubert Knirsch. All actors supporting the democratic and European path of Georgia should refrain from accusations of a disrespectful nature and uphold the human dignity of everybody who is active in public life,” read the EU embassy in Georgia statement.
The German Embassy in Georgia sent a letter to the editorial staff of Tabula Magazine regarding misrepresentation of Knirsch's interview. “You write as if in this interview the ambassador says that the force used by the police during the dispersal of the rally on 20 June 2019, was proportional. With this, you are distorting his phrases. Actually, the ambassador said that the use of force by the police in certain situations may become necessary, but it should be proportional. Other Georgian media outlets also used and disseminated this misrepresentation spread by you,” the letter stated.
On his behalf Knirsch said that he was surprised by the reactions to his statements. “I am surprised by the comments made against me by the people who have never met me or know something about me. I believe that this is part of a political process and through further development of democracy Georgia will overcome the challenge,” he said.
