No Breakthrough on Election Code as Parties Consult

(Tbilisi, May 26, Civil Georgia) Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burdjanadze initiated the two-day roundtable to break a partisan deadlock over the election code. Participants express cautious willingness to continue negotiations, but no breakthrough is achieved.

Elguja Medzmariashvili, the leader of the Unity faction, was the only representative of the pro-governmental factions to have attended the meetings. “We reiterate our willingness for negotiations and are ready to convene a special [parliamentary] session to review and vote on the amendments to the Election Code”, – Elguja Medzmariashvili told Civil Georgia.

Leader of the United Democrats party Zurab Zhvania said the consultations were “important”, saying the opposition is ready for the talks in case of willingness of the pro-governmental factions.

Last week the Parliament failed to vote for the amendments to the Election Code due to the absence of quorum. Opposition threatened with mass protests.

Related article: No Partisan Consensus on Election Administration

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