Bakradze Tells Opposition to Engage in Existing Cooperation Formats

The ruling party said on June 4, that the authorities were ready to negotiate with the opposition in frames of already existing formats, which have been established in cooperation with the parliamentary minority groups.

“If the opposition wants and is interested in a constitutional reform, strong parliament and balanced presidential institute, we call on them and we expect that they will participate in the work of the commission on constitutional [reform],” Davit Bakradze, the parliamentary chairman, said in televised remarks.

“If the opposition is interested in changing the election legislation and in better election environment, we expect them in the group working on election reform [which works on amending election code]. If the opposition is concerned about the economic situation, we are ready to refresh the Anti-Crisis Council and offer them a meeting with Prime Minister and economic team within the next few days. So, our position is that we need to move from words to deeds – deeds instead of words [the ruling party’s slogan]. And we offer practical steps to the opposition for launching a dialogue,” Bakradze added.

Remarks were made after Irakli Alasania, leader of Alliance for Georgia, said on June 4 that there were no signs of the authorities’ readiness to engage in meaningful negotiations. He reiterated readiness for talks based on the opposition’s six-point proposals.

Earlier this week, Alasania said in an interview with RFE/RL Georgian service that the Alliance for Georgia was ready to engage in work of the commission on constitutional reform, as well as on electoral reform “if only it become part of a comprehensive agreement with the authorities.”

“Political logic requires that if the agreements are reached, if the electoral environment, election code are changed, if there is an agreement on constitutional amendments – all these should be followed with elections; that is the only way out from the crisis,” he added.

“We are ready to talk on all six points openly… It is possible to talk at first about those points on which agreement is possible; if we disagree on the first point of the proposal [on early presidential elections], it does not mean that we should not speak about change of the electoral environment, depolitization of law enforcement agencies, media freedom; so there are issues, which can be resolved now if the authorities show political will,” Alasania said.

“Of course the authorities will try to shun away from talking on early presidential elections and we will try pushing the issue of holding early presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously. It will become clear on what issues we will be able to agree and on what issue it won’t be possible to agree in the process of negotiations and also on what issues the international community can act as a guarantor that agreed points will be implemented,” he added.

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