Opposition leader expresses readiness for referendum on Georgia’s foreign priorities

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition party, on Thursday  emphasized the importance of unity to defeat what he called “the party of traitors” – in reference to the ruling Georgian Dream party, and expressed his readiness to negotiate a “historical, political referendum” offered by the president on Georgia’s path towards the European Union.

“We are open to discussions. Let the Georgian people state unanimously that our path is in the European Union. The greater the union, the greater the possibility of defeating this party of traitors,” Vashadze stated.

President Salome Zourabichvili, addressing citizens gathered in front of the parliament after overcoming a veto on a controversial foreign influence bill last week, urged them to focus their energy on the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26. She emphasized that this election would determine whether Georgia pursues a European future or falls under Russian influence.

“I am with you this evening. We must prepare for October 26, which will be our answer to today. We need to use our energy to collect signatures for a referendum on our future- European or Russian. 84 people cannot decide this; we will decide together,” she said.

Constitutionalist Vakhushti Menabde explained the referendum procedures and said  200,000 voters could request a referendum, which the president could then appoint by decree. However, the decree required the Prime Minister’s co-signature. If the Prime Minister refused, the referendum would not be held. “This decision can be appealed to the Constitutional Court, though success is uncertain”, he said.