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The News in Brief

Tuesday, January 21
By Liza Mchedlidze



State Security Service about marked trees near the occupation line

According to the State Security Service of Georgia, the investigation has been launched in the area where trees have been marked.

SSS states that the Georgian Government correspondingly reacts to illicit marking and potential borderisation process every time.

“The investigation has been launched and the Georgian government reacts to the illicit marking and potential borderization process appropriately. SSS is continuously exchanging information with the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) and international partners regarding the actions of the occupation forces.”

This is not the first time trees have been marked near the occupation line. In 2016, trees marked in red were found near the Chorchana village woods.

Anti-occupation party “Strength in Unity” leader Davit Katsarava made a statement, saying that Russian border guards have marked trees where they will allegedly build new occupation fences and renew the process of borderisation in Spring.



Talakvadze: If the opposition doesn’t approve the majority’s offer, elections will be held under the current system

In case the opposition members decline the offered electoral system from majority members, upcoming elections will be held under the current system, Speaker of the Parliament Archil Talakvadze stated.

“We have offered the opposition a compromised version of elections. This is 100/50. The proportional mandates are rapidly increased and majority mandates are decreased. If the opposition will not approve and we will not reach a compromise regarding the new electoral system after this dialogue, the elections will be held under the current system.”

After parliament dropped the law of the proportional electoral system, it caused mass protests in the streets, demanding the government to keep the promise. As a result, the opposition decided to unite and protest together with civil activists.

The ruling party has offered a new alternative plan of holding elections, meaning they will be assigning 100 MPs instead of 77. The majority mandates will be decreased to 50 if opposition approves this new alternative way.