Ex-PM Gakharia’s opposition declines to join President offered charter for elections

The For Georgia opposition party founded by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has officially announced that it will not sign the Georgian Charter proposed by President Salome Zourabichvili for opposition unity ahead of the October general elections. 

The party on Monday expressed support for certain reforms outlined in the charter and has committed to backing their implementation. However, they opposed the charter’s provision for holding extraordinary elections and forming a temporary government, arguing that such discussions could lead to a political and legal dead end.

“Talking about extraordinary elections undermines the significance of the October 26 elections as decisive. Our team cannot take responsibility for this issue and the formation of the government in the proposed form, therefore, we cannot sign the presented document,” the party said in an official release.

The party emphasized the importance of unity based on a common goal, particularly the need to conduct elections in a free, fair, and competitive environment. “We consider it the primary task to unite to protect the choices of Georgian citizens. The role of the president, as the only remaining independent constitutional institution, is crucial in protecting elections and uniting around this goal,” the statement continued.

Furthermore, the party highlighted that the President’s role should not only unite political forces but also society, youth, and international partners around the goal of safeguarding elections. “Unity should be created around the president, which will transform the national protest energy of society into a concrete action plan to protect the votes of Georgian citizens at the polling stations,” the party added.

President Salome Zourabichvili unveiled the Georgian Charter on May 26, detailing steps that signatories should take post-elections to ensure Georgia’s European integration and the establishment of a democratic and fair state.

The opposition parties that have already signed include Lelo, Ahali, Girchi-More Freedom, Droa, European Georgia, Strategy Agmashenebeli, Republican Party, Citizens, For Justice, Movement for the People, Green Movement, Freedom – the Path of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, European Democrats, Law and Justice. 

The United National Movement, the largest opposition faction in the country founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili, is also set to join the initiative. 

The currently imprisoned Saakashvili announced on Monday if the opposition agreed on a single list for the parliamentary elections, the UNM should allocate half of the quotas to other parties.