Georgian Dream Chairman on Opposition’s Protest and Constitutional Reforms
Georgian Dream chairman Irakli Kobakhidze responded to a query from the media on whether the government meeting was postponed because of the demonstration taking place close to the administration and whether or not this could be seen as a win for the protesters. On July 4, Irakli Kobakhidze said he was unaware of the schedule for the government meeting, but if clarification is required, the government administration will provide it.
“I don't know when the meeting should have been planned or when it should have been held. I have no information at all. The government will provide an explanation for this. The government session is taking place and this means that they lost," said Georgian Dream chairman.
"The likelihood of implementing constitutional amendments is high, but only if the opposition takes steps toward depolarization," the leader of the Georgian Dream added. “When there is a high degree of polarisation, it is better to have a high barrier, and when there is a low degree of polarisation, it is plausible to speak of a low barrier.”
On July 4, it is vital to highlight that rally participants attempted to express their dissatisfaction through chanting, whistling, and shouting for several hours. The goal of the rally, according to the participants, was to ensure that Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili heard the voice of the people at the government session. According to the demonstration's organisers, another rally is not scheduled for July 4.
Earlier, on June 27, Caucasus Watch reported that Irakli Kobakhidze stated that if Georgia does not become a candidate for EU membership this year, it will become a candidate the following year, whenever that may be. Kobakhidze said that it takes at least 15 years to join the EU, based on what Balkan countries have done. "We have a specific agenda, which includes the Association Agreement, which we have completed to the extent of 45 percent. In two years, this proportion will reach 70 percent, and in a few years, it will reach 100 percent," Kobakhidze predicted. The head of the ruling party said that the ruling party's political council would meet soon to talk about how the government would meet the goals set by the European Council and the Commission for Georgia to get candidate status.