Tina Bokuchava Emphasizes the Need for Opposition Cooperation Ahead of Majoritarian Constituency By-Elections
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Tina Bokuchava, a leader of the United National Movement party, highlighted that discussions with other opposition parties about the upcoming by-elections in the majoritarian constituencies have not taken place yet. With the majoritarian electoral system set to be phased out within a year in favor of fully proportional elections, she strongly advocated directing efforts toward preparing for the impending general elections during this transitional phase.
Bokuchava stressed that the central consideration when making decisions should revolve around the imminent timeline leading up to the crucial national elections. This juncture offers an opportunity to "challenge and overturn" the governing authority of the Georgian Dream party.
The absence of discussions among opposition groups regarding the mid-term elections in the major parliamentary constituencies was acknowledged by Bokuchava. Expressing her perspective, she emphasized the need to focus on gearing up for the upcoming general elections as the transition to a fully proportional electoral system approaches within a year. This approach aligns with the new electoral framework achieved through the determined efforts of the Georgian populace, aiming to counter the deep-seated influence of the 'Russian Dream' during this interim period.
Bokuchava anticipated that the upcoming elections could witness the deployment of official resources to manipulate electoral districts and tamper with votes. This concern has long driven calls, both within civil society and on the international stage, to adopt a fully proportional system. She highlighted the persistent commitment of the Georgian people that led to this reform. Bokuchava pointed out the extensive financial backing enjoyed by the 'Russian Dream', facilitated by 'illicit funds' deposited by Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili's exploitation of these resources to the detriment of the Georgian populace, through methods including cryptocurrencies like bitcoins and other deceptive tactics, was also emphasized.
"We haven't yet engaged in discussions with other opposition parties concerning the mid-term elections in the two major parliamentary constituencies. As the majoritarian electoral system will be phased out within a year, transitioning to fully proportional elections, I believe it's crucial for us to use these upcoming months to prepare for the general elections. This preparation is necessary so that, with the new system that our society secured through the significant struggle of the Georgian people, we can definitively counter the 'Russian Dream' during this interim phase. In the upcoming elections, they will utilize official resources to manipulate the electoral districts and obtain votes through fraudulent means. This concern has prompted longstanding calls, both within the civil sector and on the international stage, to adopt a fully proportional system. With the dedicated efforts of the Georgian people, we have successfully achieved this transition.
"It's evident that the 'Russian Dream' has access to limitless financial resources in the form of undisclosed funds deposited by Bidzina Ivanishvili. Ivanishvili continues to exploit these funds to deceive the Georgian population on a daily basis, whether through cryptocurrencies like bitcoins or other deceptive practices. This suggests that they are indifferent to the issue of resources. Although this concern also exists within the opposition, I believe our primary consideration when making this decision should be the realization that we have just a year left until the pivotal, decisive, and transformative general elections for our country. In these elections, we must remove the 'Russian Dream' from the government. These elections will operate under a fully proportional system, completely eliminating the detrimental majoritarian system through which the 'Russian Dream' effectively manipulates the Georgian people's votes," stated Bokuchava.
