PACE: Political Pluralism Endanger

The Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE), in its recommendations to the Georgian government, expressed concern on January 28 regarding “the current reshaping of Georgian political life and the risk of a disappearance of all parliamentary opposition after the forthcoming [March 28] elections and, in consequence, of any true institutional counterweight.” 

“If the elections were to culminate in the sole representation in Parliament of the ruling coalition the Assembly might fear for the future of democratic pluralism in Georgia,” the PACE stated.

President Mikheil Saakashvili’s and State Minister Zurab Zhvania’s parties – the National Movement and United Democrats announced on January 28 about merger. No one doubts that this coalition will gain the majority of seats in the new Parliament. 

“It therefore recommends that the Georgian authorities amend the Constitution and the corresponding legislation so as to reduce the threshold for representation applying to the ballots based on proportional lists from 7% to at least 5%,” the PACE recommendations read.