According to the administration of the Parliament of Georgia, members of the faction "National Movement - Strength is in Unity" and political groups "Lelo - Partnership for Georgia" and "Reforms Group", as well as independent MPs, held a working meeting with representatives of non-governmental organizations regarding EC’s 12 recommendations.

The parties discussed the legislative measures required for the execution of the aforementioned suggestions and gave their perspectives on each one.

"We began the implementation phase of EC’s recommendations in close collaboration with the civil sector. In all twelve directions, we summarized the current state of affairs. We talked about 4-5 themes that are being created as legislative initiatives as well as 7-8 specific draft laws. It was discovered that extra meetings are required in a number of sectors. We continue to believe that in order to accomplish this crucial phase, Georgia's forces must be united as a whole. There are a couple of issues that we have also identified where we might back a political product developed with input from members of the ruling team. The most important thing is that we begin the autumn session with serious thoughts and ideas related to this specific issue. The government's ideas and problems are welcome for discussion. Because Europe anticipates us to have solidified and agreed-upon positions, we are prone to seeking consensus", - David Usupashvili, Chairman of the political group "Lelo - Partnership for Georgia” stated.

"The work procedure is actually coming to a close. Only four topics — justice, de-oligarchization, electoral reforms, and media-related issues — will be the subject of additional civil sector perspectives next week. The final text will therefore be made available to the public following the gathering of these four working groups. By the middle of September, we anticipate submitting those legislative packages to the Parliament that have not yet been registered", - Giorgi Vashadze, a member of the political group "Reforms Group" stated.

He also thanked his opposition colleagues and representatives of the civil sector for their active cooperation in the working groups and noted that this is exactly the process that Georgia needs to get the status of the European Union.

"We will uphold a document that we can call - "Mechanism for rapid accession to EU candidate status". This will be a document that we will sign with its legislative amendments", - Giorgi Vashadze added.

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia has resigned. He made his resignation statement at a special briefing at the government administration.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia resigned citing disagreement with his party colleagues over the detention of Nika Melia, leader of UNM. This follows the Tbilisi City Court’s decision to send United National Movement’s Nika Melia, Chairperson of the largest opposition party, to pretrial detention.

“Unfortunately, I could not reach a common understanding on this matter with my team and decided to resign. I want to hope, that this step would contribute to reduced polarisation in our political space, since I believe that polarization and confrontation pose the greatest risks to our country’s future and economic development,” G. Gakharia stated.

G. Gakharia’s statement said that while Melia had “never respected the law” and called “for the storming of the Parliament” on June 20, the decision to detain him poses unacceptable risks, and unduly complicates the task of economic recovery and the management of pandemic.

Georgia’s major opposition parties, including the United National Movement of ex-President Saakashvili, European Georgia, Lelo, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Labor Party, hit the streets on Sunday afternoon, rejecting the preliminary results of the October 31 parliamentary vote, that forecast the Georgian Dream to form a third consecutive government.

The opposition claims the Georgian Dream “usurped power,” and rigged the elections, citing, among others, discrepancies in a number of final vote tallies. The key local election watchdogs said they identified the discrepancies in some 7 or 8% of the summary protocols. The opposition politicians argue the united opposition forces garnered more votes in total than the incumbent ruling party.

Protesting the “stolen elections,” the opposition leaders and protesters are rallying towards the hilltop residence of GD leader Bidzina Ivanishvili, after blocking Rustaveli Avenue, the main thoroughfare of the Georgian capital, outside the Parliament.

In the meantime, Gigi Ugulava of the European Georgia party, announced the opposition parties will organize a large-scale rally on November 8.

Georgia held Saturday’s parliamentary vote under a significantly modified system, which changed the composition of 150-member parliament to 120 MPs elected through proportional, party-lists, and 30 elected as majoritarians (from 77/73 ratio) and set threshold at 1% of votes. According to the results of 98.86% precincts counted, Georgian Dream garnered 48,1% of proportional votes, while the United National Movement-led Strength in Unity bloc came second with 27.12%. European Georgia scored third with 3.77%.

Preliminary results also show GD victory in 13 single-mandate constituencies, while runoffs are expected in 17 districts, including in all 8 districts of the capital city of Tbilisi.

MP Irma Inashvili, leader of Kremlin-friendly Alliance of Patriots party, that is at odds with UNM and other opposition parties, also announced that today her party rejects the results, vowing to hold separate rallies.

Source: https://civil.ge/archives/379581

The Bureau discussed the agenda of extraordinary sessions including the drafts for accelerated consideration and the new legislative initiatives. The draft statement by Minority Factions: “UNM”, “National Movement-for Georgia’s Progress” on “Grave Humanitarian State in Aleppo” entailed discord.
According to the Deputy Chairperson, Irma Inashvili, the statement is provocative and adoption would not be expedient for the country.
As the Deputy Chairman, Giorgi Volski stated, it is artificially raised issue entailing useless debates. “We joined all the resolutions made by the international society concerning this issue, we even participated in elaboration of the position. We join the positions of the civilized world and now adoption of this statement would be inexpedient”.
According to the Chair of the Procedural Issues and Rules Committee, Giorgi Kakhiani, the Bureau shall discuss whether to consider the document in ordinary or accelerated manner and the context will be discussed upon consideration. The Bureau decided on ordinary consideration.
The Bureau considered the application of MPs setting up new Factions in Majority on secession from the Faction Georgian Dream, and the conclusion of the Procedural Committee on set up of the new Factions: “Georgian Dream-Conservatives”, “Georgian Dream-Social-Democrats”, and “Georgian Dream-for Development of Regions”.
The next Bureau will be held on December 28 at 11:30 followed with the plenary session at 12:00.

We are holding the consultations on enter Parliament – this statement was made by one of the leaders of United National Movement Sandra Roelofs.
According to her, she will often attend partial sessions but she didn’t specify with whom she had consultations yesterday.
It should be noted that the some of the members of National Movement didn’t know that Sandra Roelofs was in partial office yesterday. But their position is unchangeable. They support to have mandates in Parliament. 

Sandra Roelofs refused to be second in the list and this is absolutely logical but I don’t think that the party will go to this type of confrontation. This statement was made by the political analyst Gia Khukhashvili.
According to him, there are some differences on possible scenarios in National Movement and the decision of Roelofs is linked with one of the scenarios.
“It is known that there are two different positions in United National Movement. One of them is forced scenario, the scenario of Mikheil Saakashvili and second one is long-termed political scenario, for example, the scenario of Bokeria. Despite this situation made serious split, Mikheil Saakashvili will use his arguments in inter partial political battles,”-Gia Khukhashvili said. 

National Movement majoritarian candidate in Zugdidi will not take part in the second round of elections. As Sanda Roelofs said, participation in the second round of the unfair elections is insulting. She thanked to voters for their votes and said that votes were stolen not only on 8 of October but 22 of October as well.
“Everyone knows that I won the first round, so it's insulting for me to take part in the second round of this unfair election. I think I should not take part in the second round. First of all, very bad, criminal, pressing conditions are created in Zugdidi and do not want these people to have more problems. I know that I am the winner,"- she stated.

According to the member of United National Movement Giorgi Baramidze, there were discussions behind the scenes that National Movement, National Forum, Republicans and Free Democrats could unite and change the parliament majority. According to him, this issue was discussed by the members of majority and after Free Democrats left the coalition but one of the opponents was Republican Party.
“We had an opportunity to discuss this issue, Bidzina Ivanishvili to be removed from government and to change the situation in the parliament but we couldn’t reach an agreement. The republicans didn’t agreed it,”-Giorgi Baramidze said. 

I plan to participate in the second round of elections and vote against constitutional majority threat – this statement made by the leader of New Political Center Girchi, Zurab Japaridze.
According to him, he doesn’t believe that the second round leaves important chance Georgian Dream not to receive constitutional majority.
As Japaridze said, Georgian reality is the merit of National Movement. He also doesn’t believe that Bidzina Ivanishvili receives instruction from Kremlin and Georgian Dream plans to separate Georgia from European Union.

“United National Movement is not the party of one or two persons. It is supported by more than 500 000 people and we should make sense to take into account of supporters,”-this statement is made by Sergi Kapanadze. According to him, almost half million people supported National Movement.
“Despite all the pressure, lawlessness, bribery, or manipulation, which has been made by the government to win this elections, it is important to be more calm and act according democratic rules. Including inter partial issues. I am sure that we will act democratic way,”-he said.