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President Zurabishvili: EU, US support during Georgian political crisis critical
Agenda.ge, 24 Mar 2021 - 21:06, Tbilisi,Georgia
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has stated earlier today that support from the European Union and the United States is of critical importance for Georgia to overcome its current political crisis.
Zurabishvili said in response to the recent Senate hearing on Georgia that the main message from the US is that it supports Georgia - as its partner - on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration.
The US and the EU need stable and even more democratic Georgia as a strong and reliable partner on the region full of challenges”, President Zurabishvili said.
Calling on all political parties in Georgia to put aside their ‘narrow political interests’ Salome Zurabishvili said the current crisis is only in the interests of hostile forces.
The country needs stability which can be achieved only by strengthening the state institutions and carrying out new democratic reforms”, she added.
The Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on bolstering democracy in Georgia yesterday.
US Senator Shaheen ‘surprised, disappointed’ with political crisis in Georgia
Senator Jeanne Shaheen who chaired the hearing said she is ‘surprised and disappointed’ that all parties in Georgia ‘have allowed the current crisis to last so long’.
Senator Jim Risch has also noted at the hearing that in the past few years ‘the country suffer from democratic backsliding’.
He believes ‘responsibility for the current crisis facing Georgia, the culmination of several years of increased tensions and failed reforms, is shared by all sides’.
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/796
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US-EU to address Russian aggression in Georgia, Ukraine ‘in a coordinated manner’
Agenda.ge, 25 Mar 2021 - 12:32, Tbilisi,Georgia
The US State Secretary Antony Blinken and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell have promised to further address Russia’s aggression in Georgia and Ukraine in a coordinated manner.
Secretary Blinken and High Representative Borrell noted their determination to further address, in a coordinated manner, Russia’s challenging behavior, including its ongoing aggression against Ukraine and Georgia, hybrid threats, such as disinformation; interference in electoral processes, malicious cyber activities; and military posturing,” the US Department of State has reported.
Blinken and Borrell also decided to coordinate their response to the ‘shrinking space in Russia’ for independent political voices, civil society and media freedom and the ‘dwindling respect for human rights and the rule of law’.
The officials said that they are ready to engage with Russia on issues of common interest and to encourage Russia ‘to abandon confrontational approaches’ .
US State Secretary Blinken raises Russian aggression in Georgia while speaking with Russian FM Lavrov
Russia recognised the two Georgian regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali as independent states after the Russia-Georgia 2008 war.
Since then only Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru and Syria have recognised the regions as independent states.
The rest of the international community is unanimous in that the regions are occupied by Russia and call on the country to leave the Georgian territory.
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/800
Twitter post
https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1374814622331633665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1374814622331633665%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fagenda.ge%2Fen%2Fnews%2F2021%2F800
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Aurora - It's too early to comment, but I doubt it's not part of a structured plan. IMHO the pressure will be ramped up again just like when the GG were trying to take Block 12 back after the arbitration. This time I see pressure from the EU and NATO, as well as Uncle Sam. IMHO Giorgi Gakharia will form a new party and there will be a push for early elections, as both the people and the international community don't want either Bidzina Ivanishvili or Mikheil Saakashvili. IMHO ATM they have to push for compromise between the GD and the UNM, but will hopefully be granted a third option, with the formation of a new party by Gakharia.
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25.03.2021 / 09:35AA
Davit Chichinadze - "recruits" about 20 MPs and Gakharia can easily provoke a parliamentary crisis, which will be directly followed by early elections
Davit Chichinadze - "recruits" about 20 MPs and Gakharia can easily provoke a parliamentary crisis, which will be directly followed by early elections
"About 20 deputies will be" recruited "and Gakharia can easily provoke a parliamentary crisis, which will be directly followed by early elections," said Davit Chichinadze, leader of the political movement Tribuna.
According to Davit Chichinadze, Gakharia's entry into his new party is an attempt to shift the center of gravity of the crisis.
"About twenty MPs will be" recruited "and Gakharia can easily provoke a parliamentary crisis, which will be directly followed by early elections. In other words, Gakharia's entry with his new party is an attempt to move the center of gravity of the crisis, especially since "Dream" is trying to level Melia's figure.
The goal - the winner remains happy and not the whole opposition, which can not do anything. "If this scheme really worked, it will be only Ivanishvili's scheme," said Davit Chichinadze.
For reference, former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia said he was not going to leave politics and would talk about his plans soon.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/648207-davit-chichinaze-daaxloebit-20-deputatis-gadabireba-da-gaxarias-martivad-sheuzlia-saparlamento-krizisis-gamocveva-rasac-pirdapir-mohqveba-vadamdeli-archevnebi
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If Gakharia is still backed by Ivanishvili, then it will be bad news, but if he's parted company, then it could be the ideal way forward.
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Cheers Madpunter
Im pretty much in the same frame of mind. The only twist I had but just speculation is BI was playing the game and agreed a lot in exchange for safe haven in France. But the Bear is still getting to GD and they are malleable.
Posts: 6,250
25.03.2021 / 10:20AA
Levan Bodzashvili - If no compromise is reached, the West will try to create a new political force
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/648216-levan-bozashvili-tu-kompromisi-ar-shedga-dasavleti-sheecdeba-axali-politikuri-zalis-shekmnas-sheucqos-xeli
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"Yesterday we entered the territorial waters of Georgia ...", or what did these words of the NATO Secretary General mean?
2021, March 26, 09:00
https://www.kvirispalitra.ge/samkhedro-thema/75579-qgushin-saqarthvelos-teritoriul-tsylebshi-shevedithq-anu-ras-nishnavda-natos-genmdivnis-es-sityvebi.html
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EU-mediated talks between Georgian political parties to resume next week
The EU-mediation talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition on the issues of repeat parliamentary elections and the release of opposition figures are likely to resume on Monday, IPN has cited the EU delegation to Georgia as saying.
EU mediator in talks between Georgian political parties to travel back to Tbilisi
IPN has reported that the EU mediator in the talks Christian Danielsson will arrive in Georgia either on March 28 or 29.
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has stated that reaching an agreement between the parties is dependent on the ‘sincere desire of all parties.’
He said that by the return Danielsson will make sure whether there is a chance for the parties to come to an agreement.
It will not be easy. However, It is a Danielsson mission,” Hartzell said.
Danielsson, who was sent to Georgia by European Council President Charles Michel on March 12, had spent a week in Georgia, more than scheduled, to help the parties come to an agreement.
Georgian opposition parties say that the government refuses to make concessions. Photo: EU in Georgia press office.
However, earlier on March 19 he left the country after mediation had ended without result.
On Match 23 Michel tweeted that Danielsson would travel back to Georgia.
The Georgian opposition parties which have won seats in the 10th convocation of the Georgian parliament say that the last year parliamentary elections were fabricated and have been demanding repeat elections since November 2020.
The arrest of the head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia for his refusal to pay bail on February 23, 2021 further complicated the political tension.
The last meeting between Georgian political parties, mediated by Danielsson on March 18, lasted more than nine hours.
The top demands of the opposition include the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections, the release of Melia and the co-founder of the opposition-minded TV channel Mtavari Arkhi Giorgi Rurua who was convicted last year for the illegal possession and carrying of firearms.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has stated that repeat elections are not on the agenda, while the release of Melia and Rurua is up to the court and not to the government.
Garibashvili said that the country’s opposition has two choices: ‘either listen to the EU and the US partners and take up their mandates in the state legislature, or continue their marginal actions.’
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/817
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Russia’s Violations and the Prioritization of NATO Membership
https://georgiatoday.ge/russias-violations-and-the-prioritization-of-nato-membership/
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Ruling party, opposition hope to reach agreement at upcoming EU-mediated talks
A couple of days before the EU-mediated talks between the Georgian ruling party and opposition, both sides express their readiness to reach the final agreement to end the current political crisis in Georgia.
Ruling party member Mamuka Mdinaradze has stated that the Georgian Dream is ready to continue talks even with the most ‘destructive’ part of the opposition.
Ruling party will not consider holding repeat elections, release of opposition leader Melia at next EU-mediated talks
However, Mdinaradze noted after the meeting at the Georgian Dream headquarter in downtown Tbilisi earlier today that the ruling party has already made compromising steps and offered solutions to the crisis.
If opposition will make any constructive steps we will manage to end the negotiations with agreement”, Mdinaradze said.
He meanwhile explained that this is not only in the interests of the particular parties but the entire country.
It is in the interest of the country that we manage to reach an agreement to continue to work together (...) on the eradication of the damage caused by the pandemic, including its economic affect and other issues which are important for the Georgian society”, he added.
On its part, several opposition parties including the United National Movement, European Georgia, Lelo and Girchi - More Freedom have expressed their readiness to join the tenth convocation of parliament if they manage to agree with the current Georgian leadership on carrying out election and judiciary reforms among others.
Most of the opposition politicians who have won seats in the tenth convocation of parliament refuse to take up their mandates claiming the elections have been rigged in favour of the ruling party. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Noting that they are aware of importance of reaching the agreement with the ruling party to end the crisis, part of the opposition politicians have stated today that ‘under the normal political circumstances’ the place of all political forces is in the parliament.
They meanwhile said in a joint statement earlier today that ‘politicized judiciary’, ‘selective justice’, persecution of opponents, civil activists, critical media and their detention are ‘incompatible with liberal democracy’ and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
US Senator Shaheen ‘surprised, disappointed’ with political crisis in Georgia
The talks between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition are likely to resume on Monday after the EU mediator Christian Danielsson arrives in Georgia for the second time this month.
Danielsson, who was sent to Georgia by European Council President Charles Michel on March 12, had spent a week in Georgia, more than scheduled, to help the parties come to an agreement but in vain.
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/821
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Will Natia Mezvrishvili be in Giorgi Gakharia's team? - Explanation of the former head of the government administration
23:25 / 27-03-2021
"I can not tell you, I do not know in what direction I will take steps in the future. At this stage I am busy with my professional activities. If I can offer my knowledge to someone, I am ready," Natia Mezvrishvili said in response to a journalist ? ?? ???? ???? ???? ???? - Will Giorgi Gakharia be in the team or not.
https://www.palitravideo.ge/yvela-video/eqskluzivi/129934-iqneba-thu-ara-nathia-mezvrishvili-giorgi-gakharias-gundshi.html
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Eka Beselia's two ideas regarding Gakharia's return - "I would look critically at his move"
22:21 / 22-03-2021
“1. If it is Ivanishvili's project, then he can neither change the system nor have a goal
2. If it is not Ivanishvili's project, it is more difficult, then someone is behind all this "- Eka Beselia's two ideas regarding Gakharia's return.
https://www.palitravideo.ge/yvela-video/akhali-ambebi/129728-eka-beselias-ori-idea-gakharias-dabrunebasthan-dakavshirebith-kritikulad-shevkhedavdi-mis-nabijs.html
Let's hope it's Uncle Sam.
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Meetings ahead of Renewed Mediation
Christian Danielsson, European Council President Charles Michel’s Special Envoy to mediate Georgia’s political crisis, held on March 28 preparatory meetings ahead of the renewed mediation process between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition.
The diplomat met, among others, with representatives of Georgian civil society outfits, including Transparency International (TI) Georgia, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), and Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), and remotely discussed “steps ahead” with seven key Members of the European Parliament.
In a press briefing held after the meeting with the CSOs, Danielsson said: “European Union is resolutely engaged to help Georgia overcome the present political crisis,” noting, however, that the responsibility for it rests on the political leaders in Georgia rather than on the EU. “And I think they also know what needs to be done in order to find an agreement,” he added.
“Now there is a need for political courage, there is a need for compromise, and let me underline that compromise is not weakness, compromise is strength, compromise is a sign of the democracy in Georgia working and the compromise is the European way,” Danielsson added.
Commenting on the meeting, Eka Gigauri, Head of TI Georgia, said that the CSOs discussed the necessity of a compromise between the parties.
“We discussed the first-line objective to release” Nika Melia, top opposition leader and Giorgi Rurua, the shareholder of Gigauri the opposition-leaning Mtavari Arkhi TV. The two are regarded as political prisoners by the opposition, the claim the ruling party rejects.
GYLA Head Nika Simonishvili said, “first of all, the steps need to be taken towards the independence of democratic institutions, and only after that can we speak of normal political processes.” Procedurally, Simonishvili stated, “the government shall take the responsibility [first], but the opposition shall enter the parliament [too] to implement reforms. It would be legally impossible to carry out these reforms without the opposition” in the Parliament.
The meeting followed an address to political leaders released yesterday by several key CSOs, presenting their own suggestions about the reforms and ways out of the crisis.
The EU Envoy arrived in Tbilisi on the night of March 27-28, after his first mission earlier in the month ended without success.
https://civil.ge/archives/409105
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Gov’t ready for ‘constructive dialogue’ as EU-mediator resumes talks between Georgian political parties
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/827
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Who will openly support Gakharia from the "Dream" MPs to the newly formed party?
If you notice, after Irakli Kobakhidze became the chairman of the Georgian Dream , the ruling team holds a meeting of the political council and the majority every week. This is happening because it is difficult for everyone in the ruling team to take Kobakhidze seriously and, most importantly, they simply do not obey him. That is why the sitting of the majority attached to each political council serves only one thing - the deputies should clench their fists on the table and explain that they should allow self-creation and independent action. "At the same time, at the majority session held on Saturday, it was said that the deputies should submit the lists of people who should be considered as chairmen or mayors of the local elections by April 15 at the latest, " Alia newspaper wrote in its article.Who will openly support Gakharia from the "Dream" MPs to the newly formed party?
"At the same time, such lists must be submitted by the party, the list must pass the control of the security service and a decision will be made after that. Deputies demand that their nominees be unconditionally approved, which the Political Council does not agree with - they know best that the candidates will eventually "leave politics" with Bidzina IvanishviliMust agree. "Ivanishvili will definitely put the list of candidates and recommenders on the table and he will put red dots next to the surnames whose discussion will be removed from the agenda. In this case, the main candidate will not be the recommender. "Ivanishvili will not make a mistake for the second time and will not hang all the candidates on just one person and will give a certain quota to everyone - Kobakhidze, Kaladze, Gharibashvili, Liluashvili," the "Dream" high-ranking official told us, "the publication notes.
After all, the leaders of "Dream" are waiting for the return of Giorgi Gakharia to politics. The control of the approval of the photos of the ex-premier has driven the ruling team crazy, because such people "hug" Gakharia and write that they are looking forward to his return, that they are considered to be devoted supporters of "Dream". The resignation of the contractors is also a signal that Gakharia is not sitting idle, forming a new team and joining a very strong team in this new team. It was also said that Anzor Chubinidze may be the founder of Gakharia partyLet's see. In that case, it will be a cut card, because Chubinidze is one of the people on the fingers of one hand who does not betray Ivanishvili and his appearance in Gakharia's team is excluded without Ivanishvili's consent, "the publication continues.
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Part 2
Well, everything seems to be going so well that after the early or legal elections, the government of Gakharia will come, and the "Dream" will be the main opposition force, ie both the government and the opposition will be under the control of one man. There are rumors that a number of current leaders of the "Dream" may be in Gakharia's team. It was also said about Chubinidze and if Mr. Anzor really turns out to be in Gakharia's team, it will be a direct indication that Ivanishvili has given the green light. "No one will need to be summoned separately and told to join Gakharia's team, everyone will go there anyway, because Chubinidze's factor will play a big role," said one of the leaders of "Dream" in a conversation with the publication
"Behind the scenes it is said that the newly appointed chairman of the Culture Committee Eliso Bolkvadze will be one of the first deputies to join Gakharia's team. It is said about Bolkvadze that Medea Mezvrishvili recommended Gakharia to enter the parliament. Mezvrishvili has left and will definitely be in Gakharia's new team. Therefore, we should not be surprised by Bolkvadze's decision either, especially since the pianist, known for his political experience, is clearly not proud and mistakes "came" at such a time. In general, there is aggression against Gakharia among the deputies, and this irritates the leaders of the ruling team the most - that a man in office enjoys more respect among the deputies than, for example, the Speaker of the Parliament and the leader of the majority, but ... "- the publication adds. .
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/648735-kartuli-presis-mimoxilva-29032021
Hopefully Bidzina Ivanishvili is NOT behind the new party Giorgi Gakharia is forming. I hope the EU and Uncle Sam have the right intelligence sources to make the right decisions.
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Early Elections Not an Option, PM Garibashvili Says
Danielsson Meets Georgian Leaders
29/03/2021 - 17:09 26 2 minutes read
European Council President’s Special Envoy Christian Danielsson today met separately with Georgian president Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili as well as ruling Georgian Dream party representatives, as part of his returning visit to Tbilisi to mediate Georgia’s political crisis talks.
During the meeting, President Zurabishvili highlighted the importance of defusing the ongoing political impasse, and also called for the EU’s active involvement in overcoming Georgia’s post-pandemic economic crisis afterward, the President’s press service reported.
After his meeting with the EU mediator, PM Garibashvili reiterated the GD’s refusal to discuss holding snap elections, underscoring that “official representatives of the EU, the U.S. State Department and Senate, and the OSCE/ODIHR assessment” recognized the October 2020 general polls as legitimate.
The Georgian PM also reaffirmed that “there are no political prisoners” in the country. “We [GD] are ready for a realistically reasonable and fair compromise to be achieved, now it is the opposition’s turn,” he added.
PM Garibashvili also decried Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius’s suggestion to involve GD founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and former president, UNM leader-in-exile Mikheil Saakashvili in talks. The Georgian PM rejected Saakashvili’s participation due to him being “a criminal,” also noting that Ivanishvili has quit politics.
Following a separate meeting between Danielsson and the ruling party representatives, GD Chair Irakli Kobakhidze said they will meet again in the coming hours, before the EU mediator sits down with United National Movement leaders.
“There will be no snap elections, this is a given,” asserted Kobakhidze, who said he expects the next round of negotiation to be held tomorrow.
Background
Danielsson returned to Tbilisi on the night of March 27-28, continuing the EU’s mediation efforts to resolve Georgia’s political impasse, after his first mission earlier in March ended without success.
European Council President Charles Michel initiated the mediation after the detention of opposition leader Nika Melia, coming a few hours after PM Garibashvili’s approval as Prime Minister, deepened Georgia’s political stalemate. PM Garibashvili replaced Giorgi Gakharia, who resigned after refusing to greenlight Melia’s detention. But the crisis began in November, the last year, when the major opposition parties declared refusal to enter the new Parliament, citing “fraudulent” general elections in October.
https://civil.ge/archives/409158
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30.03.2021 / 09:05AA
In a joint letter by David Kramer and Ian Kelly - Georgia is on the verge of a one-party regime - the US should use its significant influence, including to impose sanctions
In a joint letter by David Kramer and Ian Kelly - Georgia is on the verge of a one-party regime - the US should use its significant influence, including to impose sanctions
"Georgia is now on the brink of an unstable, one-party regime - the United States should encourage crisis resolution and use its significant influence, including to impose sanctions on those responsible for bringing it to the border," said Ian Kelly, the former US ambassador to Georgia and the State Department. Former high-ranking official David Kramer writes in a joint letter, which is published by the Georgian edition of "Voice of America" ??based on an article published in The Bulwark online edition.
According to the diplomats' letter, Nika Melia should be released immediately to resolve the crisis in the country , after which both sides should work for a compromise.
"Georgia, which for a long time was considered an island of parliamentary democracy against the backdrop of a sea of ??authoritarianism, is now on the brink of an unstable, one-party regime. The EU's noble but so far unsuccessful attempt to mediate requires reinforcement from the United States. The United States has a vested interest in Georgia fulfilling its sovereign choice, joining the West and existing as a stable democracy in the East-West Critical Trade and Energy Corridor.
While the Biden administration faces a number of different types of domestic and foreign policy challenges, the United States needs to encourage crisis resolution and use its significant influence, including imposing sanctions on those responsible for pushing the country to the brink.
The only ones in Georgia who are experiencing instability and chaos are sitting in the Kremlin. Awareness of this should be a warning sign to Georgia's friends in Georgia and the West that Nika Melia should be released immediately, after which all parties should work on a compromise, based on multi-party representation in parliament. "The United States can play an important role, but it needs to act quickly," the diplomats wrote in a joint letter.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/648919-devid-krameri-da-ian-keli-ertobliv-cerilshi-sakartvelo-ertpartiuli-rezhimis-zgvarze-dgas-ashsh-ma-unda-gamoiqenos-tavisi-mnishvnelovani-gavlena-mat-shoris-mianishnos-sankciebis-dacesebaze
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One individual ready to post bail for UNM opposition leader Nika Melia
he head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia had stated that he is against posting the bail by anyone else. Photo: presa.ge.
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Agenda.ge, 30 Mar 2021 - 12:54, Tbilisi,Georgia
The head of the Psychologists’ Development Research Centre Besik Bogveli has requested consent from the country’s Chief Prosecutor’s Office to post 40,000 GEL bail instead of the head of the United National Movement opposition party Nika Melia.
Melia was arrested on February 23, 2021 for his refusal to pay 40,000 GEL of his 70,000 GEL bail which sparked further political tension in the country and pushed the opposition to the street again.
Melia’s release is one of three top demands of the opposition, along with the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections, in the currently ongoing EU-mediated talks between the ruling party and the opposition.
Bogveli, who participated in the 2020 parliamentary elections on behalf of a less-known People's Party, has stated that he acts ‘independently’ is not affiliated with any party and that ‘he has just tested the system.’
Bogveli says that he acts per the state interests. Photo: Facebook.
He also says that his initiative serves the goal to ‘discharge the current political tension’ in the country.
Melia’s lawyers have stated that the ‘government stands behind’ Bogveli.
Melia is charged with incitement to violence during the June protests in Tbilisi back in 2019 which were sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament.
He was released on 30,000 GEL bail on June 27, 2020.
However, Melia violated the conditions of his bail by publicly removing his surveillance bracelet and 40,000 GEL was added to his bail in November 2020.
Melia has refused to pay the 40,000 GEL bail (within 50 days of sentencing) and on February 5, 2021 the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office warned him of the possibility of his bail conditions being reversed to detention.
Melia says that it is not fair to pay additional bail in one case.
He said that he is against paying the bail by anyone else.
The Georgian Chief Prosecutor's Office stated on February 25,2021 that if Melia, or someone else posts bail, they will request his release from Tbilisi City Court.
However, Melia’s lawyers say that the bail has already been changed into detention and according to the law the offer of the Prosecutor’s Office is unlawful.
https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/839
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31.03.2021 / 01:29AA
The mediator's document states that all current appointments to the Supreme Court should be stopped and applications for new candidates resumed.
The mediator's document states that all current appointments to the Supreme Court should be stopped and applications for new candidates resumed.
In this parliamentary term, as a first step on the path of large-scale, inclusive and all-party reforms, the parliament must approve an ambitious judicial reform, said mediator Christian Danielson in a proposal to Georgian political parties today.
The document, published by the EU Delegation, states that all ongoing appointments of judges to the Supreme Court should be suspended and that applications for new candidates should be resumed once the new law enters into force; And in-depth reform of the High Council of Justice.
"To increase the independence, accountability and quality of the judiciary, the Georgian government, in accordance with the two packages of judicial reforms adopted in 2017 and 2019:
(A) The appointment of judges to the courts of first instance and appellate courts should increase transparency and merit-based selection, in particular by publishing written justifications for the appointment of judges based on good faith and competence criteria;
B) should submit to the Parliament a draft law on appointments to the Supreme Court, taking into account the Venice Commission Opinion # 949/2019 of June 24, 2019, especially regarding the step-by-step approach to appointments, open voting in the High Council of Justice and the need for substantiation
C) should refrain from appointment in accordance with the rules of the Supreme Court;
D) adopt the legislation enforcing the decision made by the Constitutional Court of Georgia in June 2019, by establishing rules for publishing court decisions.
At the same time, all ongoing appointments to the Supreme Court should be suspended and resumed applications for new candidates even after the new law enters into force.
In-depth reform of the High Council of Justice to increase transparency, good faith and accountability, including issues of appointment, evaluation, promotion, transfer, disciplinary decisions and disputes, sent to the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for the Coordination of Human Rights and "Their recommendations must be fully implemented," the document reads.
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Part 2
As for the future Attorneys General, according to the same document, after the necessary procedures for constitutional amendments, including public debates, the parties undertake to continue sharing a common political position that the appointment of the next Attorneys General will require a qualified majority vote of all political parties. Provides involvement and support.
"These appointments should be made in accordance with international best practice to ensure transparent, impartial, merit-based appointments.
The parties undertake to pursue judicial reform through an inclusive process, including assessing the effectiveness of the third and fourth waves of judicial reform. "The advice and assistance of international experts will be used in the implementation of these reforms, especially with the good faith of the judges," the document reads.
As for the timing of the reform, the document says that the discussion on the implementation of this agreement and further reforms will begin as soon as other opposition parties enter parliament.
"The draft has been drafted and will be sent to the Venice Commission for a conclusion by July 1. The first ballot will be held at the autumn 2021 session of Parliament. "Parliament will approve the reforms quickly, no later than the 2022 spring session," the document, released by the EU Delegation to Georgia, reads.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/649100-mediatoris-dokumentshi-natkvamia-rom-uzenaes-sasamartloshi-qvela-mimdinare-danishvna-unda-shecherdes-da-xelaxla-daicqos-gancxadebebis-migeba-axal-kandidatebtan-dakavshirebit
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31.03.2021 / 01:15AA
Mediator Document - The next parliamentary elections will be fully proportional, the threshold for the next two parliamentary elections will be up to 2% from natural
Mediator Document - The next parliamentary elections will be fully proportional, the threshold for the next two parliamentary elections will be up to 2% from natural
Mediator Christian Danielson offered a natural 2% threshold for the parties in the next election.
According to the mediator document, if the bill initiated by the legislature on March 2 had been supported by politicians, the formation of a parliamentary faction could have been created by 4 members of different parties.
However, according to Danielson, changes in the electoral system should have been adopted before the 2021 self-government elections.
"The next parliamentary elections will be fully proportional. The threshold for the next two parliamentary elections will be a natural threshold of up to 2%.
• A group of at least 4 members of parliament will be able to form a parliamentary faction, which will include MPs from other parties.
• The parties will support the draft law submitted to the Parliament on March 2 with the following additions or amendments:
• Local elections: 4/1 of proportional and majoritarian mandates; Proportion in five big cities and 2/1 proportion in all the others. 2.5%; Threshold in Tbilisi, 3% threshold everywhere outside Tbilisi.
• Central Election Commission: 8 professional and 9 party members.
Professional members are elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the full parliament. The deputy chairman of the CEC must be a representative of an opposition party. The District Election Commission will be staffed in the same proportion and 2/3 of the votes in the CEC will be required to elect professional members.
• The Precinct Election Commission will be staffed in the same proportion after the parliamentary debate on the expediency.
Professional members are appointed by a simple majority of DECs by +1 votes. Minutes of the Precinct Election Commission will be signed by at least 5 professional members + 1 member of a political party.
• The CEC chairperson is elected by the Parliament by 2/3 of the votes.
• Clear criteria for counting ballots should be defined. The rule of automatic recalculation of 10% of precincts across the country remains in force.
• A target group will be set up under the auspices of the CEC to include representatives of the Public Defender's Office and invited, credible, impartial election observation organizations, as well as credible local and international experts to present the dispute resolution process and timely recommendations to the CEC. It is possible to assign additional features to this group, such as enabling the countdown process.
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Part 2
According to a joint report of the Venice Commission and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE / ODIHR) of 20 March 2021 on the draft law initiated in January 2021 (legislative changes on party registration and funding), the proposed amendments should be revised.
Deadlines:
1. The discussion of the draft law in the working group will be resumed after the entry of other opposition parties in the Parliament.
2. The amended draft law, which fully reflects this Agreement, shall be sent to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE / ODIHR) for a conclusion within two weeks of reaching an agreement.
"All necessary changes must be adopted by the Parliament in a timely manner before the 2021 local self-government elections," reads a document released by the EU Delegation to Georgia.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/649097-mediatoris-dokumenti-momavali-saparlamento-archevnebi-ikneba-srulad-proporciuli-shemdegi-ori-saparlamento-archevnebistvis-barieri-ikneba-bunebrividan-2-mde
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31.03.2021 / 01:01AA
The mediator's document talks about the initiation of an amnesty law, which will address all violations and arrests related to the June 19-21, 2019 protests.
The mediator's document talks about the initiation of an amnesty law, which will address all violations and arrests related to the June 19-21, 2019 protests.
Mediator Christian Danielson offered the parties amnesty for all those charged in the June 20 case .
According to a document released by the EU Delegation to Georgia, by signing the document, the parties undertook to initiate an amnesty bill in parliament within a week.
In addition, at Danielson's initiative, more than a simple majority should have been required to lift a Member of Parliament's parliamentary immunity.
"In the interests of Georgia 's political stability, and in order to implement this agreement, the signatories undertake to respond to two issues perceived as politicized justice. All violations and arrests related to the protests will be addressed.
In addition, Parliament should respond to issues perceived as politicized justice through legislation and (if necessary) amend the Rules of Procedure to require a majority by a simple majority to waive the immunity of a Member of Parliament.
Deadlines: 1. The actions required to comply with this provision must be taken within one week of signing. "All signatories enter Parliament to vote on legislative and regulatory changes," the document reads.
For reference, the second round of mediation ended today without agreement after several hours of deliberation.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/649093-mediatoris-dokumentshi-saubaria-amnistiis-shesaxeb-kanonis-inicirebaze-romelic-2019-clis-19-21-ivnisis-protestebtan-dakavshirebul-qvela-dargvevasa-da-dakavebas-sheexeba
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31.03.2021 / 00:52AA
The mediator's document says that members of parliament from the opposition parties will chair five committees
The mediator's document says that members of parliament from the opposition parties will chair five committees
One of the proposals published by mediator Christian Danielson, which he proposed to the Georgian political parties today , concerns the distribution of power in the parliament, where it is mentioned that the members of the parliament will chair five committees from the opposition parties.
The document, published by the EU Delegation, states that two committees will be selected from the list below: 1. Committee on Procedures and Rules 2. Committee on Legal Affairs 3. Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration 4. Committee on Budget and Finance 5. Committee on Foreign Affairs.
"Members of Parliament from opposition parties will hold the position of Chairman of the Parliamentary Delegation in the Parliamentary Delegations that represent Georgia in the following international forums: the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
In the future, other positions will be distributed using an inclusive formula such as the D'Hondt method [used to minimize disproportion]
"The parties will take care of creating a 'dialogue of Jean Monnet' with the European Parliament," the document reads.
As for the deadlines, according to the document, the process of more distribution of power in the parliament should start within a week after the signing, so that the changes will take effect as soon as the 2021 autumn session is convened.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/649091-mediatoris-dokumentshi-natkvamia-rom-parlamentis-cevrebi-opoziciuri-partiebidan-uxelmzgvaneleben-xut-komitets
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31.03.2021 / 00:45AA
The document of the mediators does not have a clear record of the new elections - it states that "the parties agree to participate in the upcoming elections, which will be held on the basis of electoral reform."
The document of the mediators does not have a clear record of the new elections - it states that "the parties agree to participate in the upcoming elections, which will be held on the basis of electoral reform."
The parties take note of the OSCE / ODIHR assessment that "the October 31 parliamentary elections were held in a competitive environment and with respect for fundamental freedoms in general," said a document drafted by EU mediator Christian Danielson. Offered.
The document is distributed by the EU Delegation to Georgia.
As for the new elections, there is no clear record in the document. The text developed by the mediators mentions only the "upcoming elections", in connection with which such a note is made: In the interests of the implementation of this Agreement. "
"We, the parties to this Agreement, take note of the OSCE / ODIHR EOM, which states that" the October 31 parliamentary elections were held in a competitive environment and with respect for fundamental freedoms in general. It has eroded public confidence in the aspect.
The parties acknowledge that they have different views on the 2020 elections and agree on parliamentary mandates and participation in the forthcoming elections, which will be based on the electoral reform set out in this document, in the interests of Georgia's political stability and implementation of this agreement.
For the October 2021 local elections, the Georgian government demands the arrival of an international observation mission. "The parties have a political obligation as soon as the agreement is signed," the document reads.
Recall that the concluding meeting between the government and the opposition with the involvement of Christian Danielson started at 17:00. At the meeting, the mediators presented a document prepared by the political parties on their way out of the crisis. The parties discussed the document for 6 hours, but eventually the second round of mediation ended in vain.
https://www.interpressnews.ge/ka/article/649089-mediatorebis-dokumentshi-axal-archevnebze-mkapio-chanaceri-ar-aris-masshi-natkvamia-rom-partiebi-tanxmdebian-momaval-archevnebshi-monacileobaze-romelic-saarchevno-repormis-sapuzvelze-chatardeba
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Giorgi Gakharia releases a statement
10:08 / 31-03-2021
Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia responds to the second round of talks on the position and the government, which ended in vain, on the social network. As Gakharia writes, political polarization must end.
"Yesterday showed us once again that radicalism and radical positions are still the damaging factor that hindered and hindered the construction of a modern Georgian state. We must end the political polarization and take care of building a successful state," Gakharia said.
The former Prime Minister also responds to the referendum on the restoration of Georgia's independence and the birthday of the country's first president, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, and notes that March 31 is a turning point in the recent history of the country.
State building is a long and challenging process and each of us is obliged to contribute to this process. "30 years have passed since the beginning of state building," Gakharia wrote.
https://www.palitravideo.ge/yvela-video/akhali-ambebi/130042-giorgi-gakharia-ganckhadebas-avrcelebs.html
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whats next I wonder
some hefty sanctions behind the scenes required me thinks
Posts: 6,250
Aurora - Too many unknowns atm to hazard a guess. Did Gakharia resign due to the arrest of Melia or was it a ploy? If Gakharia isn't backed by Bidzina Ivanishvili, then it's possible that he starts a new party, which could be what is needed by the EU and Uncle Sam? If BI is backing him, then early elections could put him into power, with the GD in opposition, resulting in a one party state aligned with Putin? Is a compromise with the GD and UNM possible? Also, will a compromise with the GD achieve the desired result? IMHO the EU and USA were caught out in October by COVID -19 restrictions and not enough observers, plus the distraction of Biden v Trump.
Perhaps the EBRD can lend a few hundred million to progress Block 12, showing the potential for Georgia ( it would also result in energy security for the EU, by taking away Putin's control)? The GD and BI wouldn't be able to lie about the oil and gas, and the financial prospects of the country aligned with the West.