3rd Meeting between Ruling Party, Opposition Ends without Results

The third meeting between the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition regarding the electoral changes ended without significant results.

The opponents met in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on December 15 to discuss the possibility of moving to a multi-mandate system from 2020. 

Justice Minister Tea Tsulukiani, who is also the Vice Prime Minister, said after the meeting that the system proposed by the opposition cannot be acceptable for Georgia.

Opposition European Georgia MP Giga Bokeria said the ruling party asked for additional time to think over the so-called 'German model,' adding that the ruling party now allegedly needs time to consult with their chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili. 

The meetings, mediated by diplomatic corps, followed the rejection of the GD-proposed election bill on November 14, which aimed to move to a fully proportional electoral system starting from 2020 instead of 2024.

The opposition is now demanding a mixed electoral system for the 2020 elections based on the German model, which distributes seats in parliament based on votes received in proportional elections. 

By Ana Dumbadze