Opposition Leaders Meet U.S. Ambassador over Local Elections

Leaders of four opposition parties ? New Rights, Labor, Republican and Conservative – are holding talks with U.S. Ambassador to Georgia John Tefft over the upcoming local elections. 
 
The four leaders said they decided to meet with U.S. diplomat after President Saakashvili said on June 6 that he is not in a hurry to set a date for the elections, which are scheduled for this autumn.

MP Koba Davitashvili, leader of the Conservative Party, said that the President?s statement triggered doubts that ?Saakashvili may postpone the appointment of the elections for an indefinite period of time.?

?We are also concerned over the current election code,? he added.

Leader of the opposition Republican Party Davit Usupashvili said that the opposition leaders will continue talks with the foreign diplomats in Georgia in order to inform them about the opposition?s position.

?The upcoming local elections are a very important political event in the country and we want them to be held in a civilized way,? he told reporters

Leader of the Labor party Shalva Natelashvili, who calls for a boycott of the local elections, said that ?the opposition forces have already launched discussions over this proposal.?

?And be sure that if the major political forces boycott the elections, Saakashvili?s presidency will be over,? Natelashvili said.

He also called on the authorities to adopt ?a normal, democratic? election code. 

The Parliament is currently discussing the amendments to the election code proposed by the ruling National Movement party, which grants governmental officials the right to campaign in favor of a political party on the eve of elections.

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