EU-mediated talks between the ruling party and opposition bloc to resume next week in Georgia

Christian Danielsson, the special representative of the President of the European Council Charles Michel, returned back to Georgia in order to resume the talks between the country’s ruling party and opposition amidst the ongoing political crisis. Upon his arrival, Danielsson stated that “now is the time for compromise”:

“I am very glad to be returning to Georgia and I expect cooperation with the leaders of the political parties, opposition, and the ruling party, in order to help them reach an agreement and end the ongoing political crisis in the country. Now is the time for compromise and compromise should not be viewed as a sign of weakness, as it is a sign of strength. Compromise proves that democracy does work in Georgia and compromise is the European way,” Danielsson said.

Amidst the upcoming talks, both the ruling party and the representatives of the country’s opposition bloc have already expressed their readiness for dialogue and ultimately achieving an agreement. Founder of the opposition Strategy Agmashenebeli party Giorgi Vashadze said that the EU’s position should be “strict and well-defined” especially in relation to the Georgian Dream:

“In my opinion, the position of the EU should be much better-defined and much stricter this time, especially in relation to the Georgian Dream party, as it was them who jeopardized the previous rounds of talks”, Vashadze explained.

Georgian Dream party member Mamuka Mdinaradze, in turn, stated that the ruling team is ready “for a constructive dialogue even with the most destructive part of the country’s opposition.”

Earlier today, Christian Danielsson met with representatives of a few local NGOs to hear their views on how the ongoing crisis should be approached. According to Nino Dolidze, founder of the Fair Elections non-governmental organization, the political crisis that the country faces today can be used as an opportunity to solve the systematic shortcomings in Georgia. She added that “the constitutional and legislative initiatives presented in the parliament are insufficient.” Dolidze noted that the only way to address the existing problems of the system is by “balancing the electoral system, election commission, and the judiciary” to ensure equal opportunities and participation for the opposition.