Unofficial Meeting Held between Government and the Opposition
The ruling Georgian Dream party has today offered a 110/40 electoral system to the opposition for the 2020 elections, Giorgi Vashadze, one of the leaders of the opposition, states.
A meeting was held in Tbilisi, at the residence of Carl Harzell, the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, between the representatives of the government and the opposition, mediated by diplomatic corps attributed to Georgia.
“The authorities named a new model - 110/40," Vashadze said. "I would like to reiterate that we will agree on two components: no political revenge and, most importantly, to take proportionate aspirations into consideration, meaning that those who have less than 40% of support should not be able to form a majority independently. The 110/40 system fails to pass this test. Therefore, we cannot agree with this. However, there are some additional components that are being discussed now. Let's wait and see what else they have to say".
Vashadze implied that the message proposed by the diplomats was that of the ruling party. The politician insinuates that Georgia faces the threat of international isolation.
Irakli Kobakhidze, one of the leaders of the lawmaking majority, rebuffed the suggestion that any offer had been made by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
“We discussed various topical issues related to political processes. There were questions regarding the electoral system, but our offering a 110/40 model to the opposition is inaccurate information.
"Today’s meeting was not held in the format of negotiations and naturally, we just discussed various issues related to the electoral system but did not offer anything. We discussed various aspects, but did not suggest a 110/40 model,” Kobakhidze said.
US Deputy Ambassador to Georgia, Elizabeth Rood, stated the meeting between the parties was constructive.
“I participated in the informal meeting between diplomats and politicians. We discussed political issues, but I am not going to go into detail. I will say that it was a constructive meeting and left everyone thinking, which will have an impact on the near future,” Rood said.
By B.Alexishvili