CoE Assessment on Georgia’s Electoral Reform Agreement

The Council of Europe has endorsed the agreement reached between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition on the electoral system, saying that it "puts an end to the uncertainty that lasted for several months and opens the way to depolarization of the political debate, in the run-up of this year’s elections." 

"We welcome the political agreement reached yesterday, 8 March, by the majority and opposition in Georgia on the 2020 electoral system, which puts an end to the uncertainty that lasted for several months and opens the way to depolarization of the political debate, in the run-up of this year’s elections. Talks were facilitated by representatives of the international community in Georgia including from the European Union, the United States, Germany and the Council of Europe.

"We look forward to the adoption in Parliament of the provisions of this agreement, as well as all other necessary changes to the electoral legislation, in line with international recommendations. The Council of Europe including its Venice Commission will continue to offer its assistance to Georgian authorities towards successful completion of the process.

"We commend political parties’ commitment to strive for the highest standards of the functioning of Georgia’s judiciary and protect judicial and electoral processes from inappropriate political interference. This will contribute to upholding the relevant provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights and the Council of Europe standards on electoral matters," reads the statement.