Dialogue continues as opposition and ruling team can’t agree on new electoral system
By Nika Gamtsemlidze
Tuesday, December 17
A meeting was held between the representatives of the ruling party and the opposition with the help of international corps in Georgia.
The meetings were initiated by international representatives in Georgia, who are calling on the sides to find a solution as fast as possible.
As the 2020 elections approach, it is still unclear under which system they will be held. Representatives of the opposition presented an initiative at the previous meeting. According to it, single-member majoritarian electoral districts would be replaced with the multi-mandate ones.
According to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Archil Talakvadze, the existing election model has resources to hold democratic and competitive elections with the mixed model in 2020. As he told reporters, there are several reasons why discussions on the multi-mandate model failed.
“Multi-mandate majoritarian electoral districts involve so much unification of geography and municipalities within the election administration that it becomes virtually impossible for a majoritarian to represent the community he has chosen,” noted Talakvadze.
Talakvadze said that the second problem is that small and large districts have an unequal approach with this model. The third problem is that the parties running for elections themselves have internal competition for the candidates, which, according to Speaker, leads to a defragmentation of party resources.
As the leader of New Georgia Giorgi Vashadze says, the ruling party is in a “bad situation, since they don’t seem to be able to find a system that will help them win the elections.”
According to Vashadze, the next round of the meeting is expected to take place next Friday.
EU ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said that talks between the opposition and the authorities were difficult this time, but he also expressed hope that the fourth round of talks will also be held shortly.
Hartzell also commented on the approval of the Supreme Court judges. He said there are some questions and concerns about the process.
As he said, it is positive news that the selection procedures have been set up, and open and transparent hearings were held in parliament.
“Consideration should also be given to the opinions voiced by the Venice Commission, the OSCE/ODIHR and other observers, including civil society,” noted Ambassador.
While the opposition is trying to find a new system for elections, the ruling party says that the decision is made and the 2020 elections will be held with a mixed electoral system.
