Girchi, Citizens’ MPs urge Saakashvili quit politics, Ivanishvili to retake office

Girchi, Citizens’ MPs urge Saakashvili quit politics, Ivanishvili to retake office

The six MPs of the Girchi and Citizens opposition groups on Thursday called on jailed former President Mikeil Saakashvili to quit politics, while former PM and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, to re-take office in a bid to ease political polarization and allow Georgia to receive the EU membership candidate status next year. 

 

In a letter released earlier today, the MPs suggested that without the “full-scale” engagement of the Georgian political forces and easing polarization, it was unlikely the county would receive the EU candidacy, which was supported by 85% of the country's population.

 

“The first condition of the European Commission’s 12-point conditions is de-polarisation, which requires the engagement of all political forces”, said the MPs. 

 

Speaking about imprisoned ex-President Saakashvili, the MPs said that the former’s withdrawal from politics would ease polarization and allow the United National Movement to transform itself into a healthier political player. 

 

The MPs stressed that Ivanishvili,who quit Georgia politics for the second time in 2021, was'' connected with Georgian politics”, noting that “Ivanishvili’s return  to Georgian politics is essential for lowering polarization. Political responsibility for the processes should be assumed by those who make relevant decisions or have access to all the resources to make these decisions”. 

 

In remarks to the EU membership conditions, the MPs urged the ruling party to allow the passing of constitutional changes, which envisaged a two percent election threshold and a fully-proportional elections by 2024 race.





The six MPs of the Girchi and Citizens opposition groups on Thursday called on jailed former President Mikeil Saakashvili to quit politics, while former PM and the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, to re-take office in a bid to ease political polarization and allow Georgia to receive the EU membership candidate status next year. 

 

In a letter released earlier today, the MPs suggested that without the “full-scale” engagement of the Georgian political forces and easing polarization, it was unlikely the county would receive the EU candidacy, which was supported by 85% of the country's population.

 

“The first condition of the European Commission’s 12-point conditions is de-polarisation, which requires the engagement of all political forces”, said the MPs. 

 

Speaking about imprisoned ex-President Saakashvili, the MPs said that the former’s withdrawal from politics would ease polarization and allow the United National Movement to transform itself into a healthier political player. 

 

The MPs stressed that Ivanishvili,who quit Georgia politics for the second time in 2021, was'' connected with Georgian politics”, noting that “Ivanishvili’s return  to Georgian politics is essential for lowering polarization. Political responsibility for the processes should be assumed by those who make relevant decisions or have access to all the resources to make these decisions”. 

 

In remarks to the EU membership conditions, the MPs urged the ruling party to allow the passing of constitutional changes, which envisaged a two percent election threshold and a fully-proportional elections by 2024 race.