Opposition, Activists Demand Provisional Govt, Proportional Snap Elections

Following the Georgian Parliament voting down the constitutional amendment envisaging transition to fully proportional electoral system earlier today, the parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition parties, as well as civic activists sat down at the Labour Party’s office to discuss a joint action plan. Following three-hour long political consultations they agreed on main demands. 

After the meeting, Shota Digmelashvili, one of the founders of the movement “In the Service of the Country,” joined the protest outside the parliament building where he unveiled the opposition’s demands. He said that all opposition parties agreed on holding snap elections through fully proportional electoral system under the provisional government.    

With 101 votes in favor and three against, the Georgian Parliament voted down the bill that would change Georgia’s mixed electoral system to fully proportional one from 2020, instead of 2024. While all of 44 MPs of opposition parties supported the bill, Georgian Dream’s three lawmakers voted against the amendment and 37 abstained, making the bill falling short of the needed 113 votes, three fourths of sitting 150 MPs.

“We, all interested groups, public organizations, political parties managed to reach a consensus and revitalized a slogan “Together against One.” The Committee of National Accord will be established to ensure holding of fair, proportional [parliamentary] elections in the country,” Digmelashvili said, adding that the protests will continue permanently until the ruling party meets their demands are met.

Parallel rallies are being held in western Georgian towns of Batumi, Zugdidi and Kutaisi. The manifestos are protesting against the Parliament’s decision to vote down the constitutional amendment on transition to the proportional electoral system.

The opposition politicians also announced about their plans to hold a large scale rally outside the Parliament on November 17 and called on the citizens to attend it. The Alliance of Patriots of Georgia also plans to hold a separate rally on the same day.  

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