The Opposition and the Government Still Could Not Agree on CEC Composition

(Tbilisi. May 6, 2003. Civil Georgia) – The opposition and pro-governmental parties could not agree on rules of CEC composition again. The second working meeting in the Industrialists office ended with no success.

The first one to leave the meeting was the Traditionalists’ leader Akaki Asatiani. “Apparently, they do not know what they want and therefore such meetings are pointless” – he said.

The opposition parties were dissatisfied with the project, proposed by the pro-governmental side. According to the new proposal, number of CEC members would be increased from 11 to 15, among which 5 would be appointed by the President, two by the two autonomous republics, one by the Supreme Court and seven by the political parties. 4 members would be appointed by the parties, which have cleared the 7% barrier in the last elections and 3 members – by the rest of the parties.

The Industrialists and the National-Democratic party presented two other projects, but none of them were accepted. “I do not understand the opposition. In every case they will have the majority in quotas. But still they leave from the meeting very unhappy” – Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, chairman of the National-Democratic party said.

Despite the disputes, the sides will continue working on the new rules of CEC composition. However the opposition side might not attend such meetings again in the future.

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