"Georgian Dream" and opposition reach consent on elections and release of political prisoners

On April 19, the ruling "Georgian Dream" Party and opposition parties signed an agreement to hold parliamentary elections and release political prisoners. The deal gives oppositionists a chance to enter the parliament while maintaining their reputation, analysts believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 29, the Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Garibashvili, assured, at a meeting with Christian Danielson, an envoy of the President of the European Council, that the authorities would compromise with the opposition in order to resolve the political crisis. MEPs warned them against the consequences of an absence of compromise, pointing out the possibility of suspending financial transfers.

The opposition has been presented with a new draft agreement, which stipulates the conditions for holding parliamentary elections. They will be held in 2022, provided that in the autumn elections to local self-government bodies, the "Georgian Dream" will fail to receive support of 43% of voters under the proportional system.

At the same time, the President, Salome Zurabishvili, announced her readiness to pardon Giorgi Rurua, whom the opposition treats as a political prisoner, provided an agreement reached by the "Georgian Dream" with the opposition and an end to boycotting the work of the parliament.

Along with the signing of the document, it is necessary to stop persecuting people and detentions for political reasons, including those against Nika Meliya and Giorgi Rurua, Ms Zurabishvili believes.

For the opposition, the new agreement is a good way out of the situation amid the announced boycott of the parliament, Giya Nodiya, a political analyst, has written on his Facebook.