Saakashvili Refuses to Yield to Opposition Demand

President Saakashvili accused “the radical part of the opposition” of attempting to thwart the upcoming parliamentary elections and blamed the opposition for failing to reach an agreement with the authorities.

His remarks, made while visiting the eastern Georgian region of Kakheti on March 25, indicated that the authorities had no plans to yield to opposition demand.

He said that he spared no efforts to establish cooperation with the opposition. “We have proposed very many things to various political parties to make everyone happy and to hold elections under normal conditions,” he said. “We have agreed on some issues, but on some issues, unfortunately, for some reasons – because of internal disagreements [within the opposition], hesitation, or maybe because of a willingness [by the opposition] to fuel tension – many of them [opposition parties] refused to accept [the authorities’ proposals].”

“The way I see it is that one, radical part of the opposition simply wants to thwart the elections,” he added.

Opposition leaders from the eight-party coalition and the New Rights Party reiterated on March 25 that they would continue their hunger strike and protest rallies. The opposition has a single demand: to elect 75 majoritarian MPs in the new 150-seat parliament in multi-mandate constituencies, instead of single-mandate constituencies. The demand is backed by the Republican Party, although they are not participating in the ongoing hunger strike.

President Saakashvili also said that despite the efforts of “the radical part of the opposition,” polls would be held in spring in accordance with the wishes of the people. Election Day is scheduled for May 21.

He also said that he was “very sorry” that “the most radical part of the opposition” was on hunger strike. “I want to ask everybody to stop playing with their own health and especially with others” health. But the will of the Georgian people can not be obstructed. The elections will be held when the people said it should be held,” Saakashvili said.

He also pledged to hold “very clear and transparent” elections and invited the opposition parties to continue dialogue on the composition of the election administrations.

Saakashvili also commented on Imedi TV, saying the station should resume broadcasting. “I am absolutely sure that all stations, including Imedi TV, will be reopened. The most important thing is that everything will be done within the frames of democracy and freedom,” Saakashvili said.

The opposition held a protest rally on March 24 under the banner of “protecting Imedi TV.” Late tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili”s family has claimed that the authorities were trying to seize the station with the help of “imposters.”

It emerged on Tuesday that Imedi TV would resume broadcasting on March 26. The Georgian National Communications Commission (GNCC) is mandated to consider suspending Imedi TV”s broadcast licence if the station fails to reopen by March 26, as it would be exactly three months since it stopped broadcasting. Bidzina Baratashvili, executive director of the television station, has, however, refused to comment on the speculation that Imedi would resume broadcast on March 26.

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