The Georgian Dream and the opposition reached a consensus over electoral system for 2020 parliamentary polls.

On March 8, after a negotiation round that took place at U.S. Ambassador’s residence, all parties made a joint statement marking achievement of an agreement.

Participants signed a memorandum of understanding which puts forward proposed draft amendment to the Constitution defining the rules for the 2020 elections. As stated in the document, the Parliament shall consist of 120 members elected through the proportional party lists and 30 members elected through majoritarian system.

Prior to the concluding an agreement, the sides held four unsuccessful rounds of foreign-mediated meetings. 

Giorgi Gakharia - The achieved agreement is an important step towards strengthening democracy

The Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia comments on the agreement reached on the electoral system and calls it important.
“A significant agreement has been reached on the electoral system.
This agreement is an important step towards strengthening democracy, stabilizing the political environment, reducing polarization in the country and sustaining economic development in the electoral year.
Thanks to our international partners for their significant contribution to reaching an agreement”, - concluded the Head of the Government.

Salome Zourabichvili - The agreement reached should be seen as a victory for the public

The agreement reached should be seen as a victory for the public, - the President of Georgia wrote on the social network, commenting on the agreement between the Georgian Dream and the opposition on the election model.
“The agreement reached should be seen as a victory for the public. With this reasonable compromise and step, all the conditions have been created for a peaceful and fair election. Peace, stability and democracy in the state are our goals”, - wrote Salome Zourabichvili.

Archil Talakvadze - I can tell you directly that we have not made specific decisions in relation to any person mentioned by the opposition

“We, political parties, have agreed that the justice system should not be used by any party for political purposes and that no one should try to influence the judiciary politically. Our aim has been and will be the rule of law, where justice cannot be part of political processes. No other specific agreement is outlined in this document and you can read the specific text of this agreement. Consequently, I can tell you directly that we have not made specific decisions in relation to any person mentioned by the opposition”, - said the Speaker of the Parliament.

Giorgi Vashadze - Opposition will stop protests

“We will have a meeting today and we will probably announce a moratorium on rallies. If they cheat again, we all know what we will have to do. If the agreement is implemented, there will be an election campaign. And it is not our goal to picket buildings and stand on the street”, - said the leader of New Georgia.

International assessments on electoral agreement

The US Embassy in Georgia, EU’s delegation to Georgia and Georgian Office of the Council of Europe, endorsed the agreement, dubbing it as a “crucial step towards depolarization and normalization of the political environment in Georgia in the run-up to the parliamentary elections later this year”. They called on all sides to adhere to the agreement and to safeguard its successful adoption by the lawmakers and subsequent implementation.

“Big congrats to people of Georgia with an achieved breakthrough in electoral negotiations. Georgian Government and opposition demonstrated political maturity and brought their country one big step closer to genuine democracy”, - tweeted MEP Viola von Cramon.

Ulrik Tideström, Swedish Ambassador to Georgia, welcomed the agreement as an “important step towards depolarization and better political environment in the run-up to the parliamentary elections.”

Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE / ODIHR, also approved the said agreement, promising a “a thorough assessment [of its implementation] by ODIHR election observers on the ground”.

Otar Kakhidze - It is a victory for the country

“It is a victory for the country. It is good that the political elite as a whole has reached a consensus and signed an agreement that is good for the country in the long run. This is a system that is close to proportional. The number of majoritarians will be reduced from 73 to 30. We will get districts, where voters will be evenly distributed according to international standards, and this is a step forward”, - said the chairman of the parliamentary faction European Georgia.

Hubert Knirsch – There is a good will of all political parties to implement this agreement

“I see that there is a good will of all political parties to implement this agreement. Thus, Georgia will avoid an impression that it is stepping back on the path of democracy. This is what international partners support. They support the democratic and social development of Georgia and not the victory of any particular party”, - said the German Ambassador to Georgia.