Ruling party may reject a bill on a lower election threshold

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party may not vote for the election bill in its second reading this month which offers a two percent election threshold for the next two parliamentary elections in Georgia. 

 

The party head Irakli Kobakhidze stated earlier today that the GD has no obligation to support the bill, because the party withdrew from the EU-mediated agreement, which obliged the party to accept the changes, back in July 2021. 

 

Kobakhidze says that the current model for the parliamentary elections, which offers a fully-proportional electoral system and a five percent election threshold, is legitimate for the country. 

 

He says that the ruling party will discuss whether or not to support the bill. 

 

The opposition supports the bill and says that if the GD decides to reject it, it will be ‘another sign’ that the party ‘betrays the EU and its recommendations.’ 

 

The approval of the bill needs the support of at least 113 MPs in the 150-member parliament. 

 

Thus, the votes of both the ruling party (which has 90 MPs) and the opposition are necessary for its confirmation. 

 

The bill was approved with its first reading in September of the year.