A troubled place: MEPs are going to hold a meeting between Georgian authorities and opposition
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- A troubled place: MEPs are going to hold a meeting between Georgian authorities and opposition
A new delegation of MEPs may head to Georgia to organize a meeting between the government and the opposition of the republic, Izvestia has learned. It is possible that the visit will take place after the inauguration of newly elected President Mikhail Kavelashvili, which will take place on December 29. Meanwhile, incumbent President Salome Zurabishvili does not want to leave her seat, despite the decline in her popularity among the population and the decreasing protest potential in the country. The ruling Georgian Dream party expects that the rallies will continue to subside. What awaits Zurabishvili, if she refuses to leave the post of president, and what the EU seeks in Georgia - in the material of "Izvestia".
Visit of MEPs to Georgia
Representatives of the European Parliament intend to organize a joint meeting of representatives of the government of Georgia and the opposition, told "Izvestia" EP deputy Tomasz Zdechowski. This may happen in late December or early January.
- At the moment this issue (visit of the delegation to Georgia - "Izvestia") is being discussed. The purpose of the visit is an open dialog between the authorities and the opposition. We want to get information from both sides," he said.
Delegations from Europe have repeatedly visited Georgia after the parliamentary elections. Thus, a group of MEPs came to the republic on the eve of voting for the president. One of the visits also took place in November. Then Georgian authorities refused to meet with representatives of the delegation. Prime Minister of the republic Irakli Kobakhidze explained this by the fact that the visiting MEPs "were directly involved in the election campaign in Georgia, thus blatantly violating all electoral principles".
And Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili pointed out that European MPs "have repeatedly shown unfriendly attitude towards Georgia". By the way, we were talking about MPs from Germany, France, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. It is these states that refuse to recognize the results of the last parliamentary elections and most actively demand a foreign investigation.
By the way, it is worth noting that if the new initiative of MEPs does succeed, it will be the first organized meeting between representatives of the government and the opposition. During all previous visits, the delegation met with representatives of the parties separately.
In general, it is worth noting that the West has been regularly interfering in the internal affairs of the republic lately. Georgia's relations with the EU have noticeably deteriorated over the past year. After the parliamentary elections, the ruling party suspended the process of negotiations on Georgia's European integration until 2028. The US has suspended its strategic partnership with Tbilisi.
Now Europe's desire to make such a visit can be seen as a probability that the West recognizes its mistakes and tries to "save face," Georgian political scientist Petre Mamradze tells Izvestia.
- Nevertheless, the visit of several deputies should not be considered as an official position of the West. For an official position there should be official statements, but there have been none so far. The West failed to organize Maidan and overthrow the Georgian government. Apparently, this makes them realize that they need to save face, that Georgia cannot be lost," he says.
By the way, after the results of the parliamentary elections were announced, relations between Georgia and Western countries deteriorated sharply. Despite the fact that the OSCE observers recognized the elections as legitimate, many states called for a rerun. In addition, the U.S. and EU increased pressure on Georgia by freezing some financial aid, suspending joint programs, and imposing sanctions against representatives of the Georgian leadership and more than 100 citizens of the country. Washington also postponed the Noble Partner military exercises. In addition, the EU was in favor of imposing personal sanctions against Georgia, but they were blocked by a number of states, including Hungary, Slovakia and Luxembourg.
When the protests will stop in Georgia
In general, relations between the ruling party and the opposition with the West, which supports it, have been deteriorating for a long time. Thus, they have cooled considerably due to the ruling party's adoption of the law on transparency of foreign influence. Also, at its suggestion, Georgia approved a law banning LGBT propaganda (the movement is recognized as extremist in Russia). After that, the West and, consequently, the opposition began to accuse Georgian Dream not only of cooling relations with the EU, but also of a "pro-Russian course". The Dream explained that after the start of the SWO in Ukraine, the West began to call for opening a second front in Georgia to confront Russia and impose sanctions against it. Such a move would have dire economic consequences for Georgia because Moscow, despite the breakdown of diplomatic relations, is still Tbilisi's most important trade and economic partner.
The incumbent president Salome Zurabishvili is formally considered the leader of the opposition, and it is she who actively maintains ties with the West. People even call her "the window to the West." After the Georgian Dream won the parliamentary elections, Zurabishvili did not recognize the results of the vote and called for new elections. Following her, four opposition parties folded their mandates. Thus, for the first time in Georgia's history, a one-party parliament consisting only of the Georgian Dream was assembled.
Rallies have been taking place in Georgia for over a month now. In fact, Salome Zurabishvili herself called for them. The most massive protests took place just after the suspension of negotiations on European integration and when the session of legislators was going to be held. In the first case the protesters even tried to set fire to the parliament building.
However, the ruling party has repeatedly stated that they do not intend to hold a new vote and will stick to their course. In addition, the "Dream" expects that the protests may stop altogether.
- After the New Year, I think that the protests will subside. Even now they are already subsiding, everything is not as the opposition TV shows. The ruling party is going according to the plan, the inauguration of the President will be held on the 29th, no one will interfere with us, - says "Izvestia" deputy of "Dream" Shota Khabareli.
What awaits Salome Zurabishvili
It should be taken into account that the planned visit of MEPs should take place after the inauguration of the new President Mikhail Kavelashvili. By the way, the post-election situation may be complicated by one thing: Zurabishvili refuses to leave her chair and demands to hold new parliamentary and presidential elections.
Moreover, she has threatened the authorities with the "fall of the regime" if the ruling party does not call new parliamentary elections by December 29.
"The fall of the regime is an alternative to dialog, compromise and concessions. Concessions are necessary, recognition of some things is necessary, compromises are necessary. If not, there will be the fall of the regime," she said in a recent video message published on December 23.
In addition, Zurabishvili announced the creation of some kind of council under her leadership, which is supposedly to prepare the country for new elections.
"After a meeting with opposition parties, a document is being prepared that will describe all those conditions that are minimally necessary for new elections to be held soon," she said.
In general, Zurabishvili's desire to stay in her chair can be seen as a violation of the law, political analyst Petre Mamradze told Izvestia.
- If Zurabishvili confines herself to her opinion that she is unique, there is nothing wrong. But if she does not physically leave the presidential residence, then there is an offense. She will be expelled by force, and the punishment will be provided by law," he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that Zurabishvili could be held criminally liable if she calls new elections to the Georgian parliament and does not leave the residence on December 29.
In general, it is not ruled out that Zurabishvili may leave Georgia after the inauguration. Earlier she had French citizenship, however, according to official information, she gave it up before taking office.
It is noteworthy that at the moment some EU countries have expressed readiness to grant Zurabishvili political asylum. In particular, the Lithuanian authorities have already announced such an initiative.
