Ruling Party Offers to Discuss Some of Opposition’s Demands

Georgian Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze called on the opposition parties on April 17 to set-up a special joint group, aiming at holding a dialogue with the opposition. However, only leader of the opposition Industrialists party accepted this proposal.
 
Other opposition factions, including the New Rights and the Democratic Front, rejected the Parliamentary Chairperson’s proposal, citing that the parliamentary majority does not intend to meet their requirements.

“I think it is an attempt by the parliamentary majority to create a façade of democracy and I do not expect any results from this group,” MP Mamuka Katsitadze of the New Rights said on April 17.

The opposition lawmakers have been boycotting parliamentary sessions since March 31 and are demanding the resignation of Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili; transparent voter lists; the creation of new election administrations; direct elections of city mayors; and improvement of the business climate.
 
Influential parliamentarian from ruling National Movement party Giga Bokeria said on April 17 that the key requirements of the opposition regarding direct election of mayors and governors, the creation of new election commissions by representatives of the political parties and the Interior Minister’s resignation can not be discussed.

“There are other important issues which still need to be discussed and we hope that even a small number of opponents will participate in this discussion,” Giga Bokeria told reporters.
 
Zurab Tkemaladze told reporters before the talks with the Parliamentary Chairperson that this step does not mean that he will reject the boycotts.
 
“I will meet with the Parliamentary Chairperson… We should discuss those issues – election legislation and tax code – which will be discussed in the group… If we reach an agreement over these issues, we will participate in a discussion of these two issues. As for the other issues, we will continue boycotting,” Tkemaladze told reporters.

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