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On 17 November, the EUD to Georgia said that it “recognises the deep disappointment of a wide segment of Georgian society at the failure of Parliament to pass the constitutional amendments required to move to fully proportional parliamentary elections in 2020”.

“The decision taken last summer to accelerate the transition to proportional elections was understood as an important step forward in Georgia’s democracy. There was political consensus behind it and a joint commitment from all sides to work towards this end,” added the EU in a statement it issued together with the US Embassy to Georgia.  

“The unexpected halting of this process last Thursday has increased mistrust and heightened tensions between the ruling party and other political parties and civil society.”

“In view of the current situation, we consider it essential to immediately work to restore trust through a calm and respectful dialogue between the government and all political parties and civil society with a view to finding an acceptable path forward,” highlighted the statement, adding that the EU and USA fully support the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

“We call on all parties exercising this right to do so in a lawful manner and within the framework of the Constitution,” the statement concluded.  

Statement

Photo credit: Zurab Kurtsikidze