Parties sign new EU proposal, presidents pardon Mtavari Arkhi shareholder Giorgi Rurua

By Khatia Bzhalava

Tuesday, April 20

Charles Michel’s compromise paper was signed by Davit Bakradze, Aleko Elisashvili, Badri Japaridze, Zurab Japaridze, Mamuka Khazaradze, Vakhtang Megrelishvili, Shalva Papuashvili, Salome Samadashvili, Khatuna Samnidze, Archil Talakvadze, and Giorgi Vashadze.

Strategy Agmashenebeli leader Giorgi Vashadze stated that the new EU-proposed document ‘is not ideal’, however, he believes the opposition should use this opportunity and sign the document.

Head of the EU Delegation to Georgia Carl Hartzell has introduced several changes to the European Union-backed compromise and, according to him, this is a document that President of the European Council Charles Michel ‘views as balanced and realistic’. The renewed document now also refers to snap elections and reads that “early parliamentary elections shall be called in 2022 if the Georgian Dream party receives less than 43% of valid proportional votes in the October 2021 local self-government elections.” The parties pointed out that the submitted 5-point document is not perfect but it is acceptable.

United National Movement has refused to sign the document citing that the political prisoners’ issue is unclear and that linking local election results to early elections is wrong. According to UNM party member Akaki Minashvili, there are other weak points in the document as well such as not containing the issue of the new judges and the fact that the CEC chairman will hold the post for another two years and the Prosecutor General for five years. Another UNM member Salome Samadashvili believes that opposition parties should sign the document as otherwise “it will badly affect opposition’s relationship with the western partners.” According to her, the UNM will hold consultations to consider the renewed proposal.

Zura Japaridze, the leader of the Girchi-More-Freedom political party, stated that even though he does not believe the document will de-escalation the situation or get the country out of the crisis, he is ready to sign the document.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has expressed readiness to sign the renewed proposal as well. According to the ruling party, they were ready to accept the conduct of repeal elections if they received at least 40 percent of votes in municipal elections and they are ready to accept the 43 percent as well. However, the party states that after signing the new proposal, they would not agree to any further substantive changes. The ruling party also mentioned Giorgi Rurua’s release and stated that enclosing the condition in the agreement is “a gross example of political interference in the judiciary” as “Rurua is neither a politician nor a person who can make fundamental changes in the political process.” However, the ruling party stressed that it would abstain from being critical if the president pardoned him.

Yesterday, the president of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili announced she would pardon Giorgi Rurua, a co-founder of the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi if the political parties sign the new proposal. According to Zurabishvili, even though she does not think Rurua deserves pardoning, she is ready to make the ‘scandalous decision’ to serve the state interests. The president stated that her decision needs to be the last chord to end the political crisis. Zurabishvili underscored that she would implement her decision only when the political parties sign the document, enter the parliament, and when EU and US representatives announce that an agreement has been reached. “I will sign the pardon act within a week after this announcement,” said the president.

Later yesterday, party members gathered at Orbeliani Palace to sign the compromise document. The document was signed by Davit Bakradze, Aleko Elisashvili, Badri Japaridze, Zurab Japaridze, Mamuka Khazaradze, Vakhtang Megrelishvili, Shalva Papuashvili, Salome Samadashvili, Khatuna Samnidze, Archil Talakvadze, and Giorgi Vashadze. The signing ceremony was attended by the EU and US Ambassadors Carl Hartzell and Kelly Degnan and virtually by European Council President Charles Michel.

Khatuna Samnidze, Davit Bakradze, and Salome Samadashvili have signed individually, as the bloc National Movement – Strength in Unity and European Georgia have not joined the document yet. However, the majority of the UNM members consider it possible to sign the document and enter the discussions.

Charles Michel has congratulated political leaders on signing the deal. “You put the people's interests first and let democracy prevail,” he stated. European Council President will arrive in Georgia today. According to him, he will meet with the parties to discuss how to take more steps towards strengthening ties between Georgia and the European Union.