Meetings to Be Held Between Government and Opposition

A Political decision has been made to cancel special polling stations.

The announcement regarding the policy was made by Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili yesterday, during his meeting with the inter-party group of non-parliamentary opposition at the governmental administration.

Kvirikashvili stated that the respective matter has already been placed on the agenda of the government meeting.

During his meeting with the non-parliamentary opposition, Kvirikashvili emphasized the importance of high engagement in the political processes and expressed his readiness to conduct joint discussions over the ideas of inter-party groups regarding the election environment.

“We are completely ready to increase engagement in political processes. We are willing to establish high culture relationships. This is particularly important during the pre-election period, to demonstrate to our partners across the world that we are capable of civilized interaction, and even more, we can listen to each other and conduct exemplary elections," the PM stated.

According to the PM, the importance of the above-mentioned matter is even higher since Georgia is in a process of association with the EU and important steps have been taken to become closer to said entity.

“This is also important to ensure that we are capable of listening to each other. We may or may not take into consideration certain matters, but it is crucial to leave confrontation format behind and enter the negotiations format,” Giorgi Kvirikashvili declared.

During the meeting, it was also made known that regular meetings between the opposition and the government will be held, which “will enable the government to exchange opinions regarding election-related matters with the inter-party group.”

The Prime Minister also presented draft amendments abolishing ‘vicious practice’ established throughout the years, to the representatives of non-parliamentary opposition, “namely, Ministers will not be authorized to establish special polling stations at their own discretion.”

During the meeting, members of the inter-party group laid out demands regarding abolishment of a majoritarian system by 2016 instead of 2020, however, the respective decision did not follow the enquiry.

The PM said the benefits and shortcomings of the respective matter will be discussed by the Coalition, and the group will make a relevant decision.