On 1 March, the representatives of the Georgian government and the opposition parties met at the presidential palace in Tbilisi at a meeting mediated by European Council President Charles Michel.

“We had a very important dialogue. The main message is the following: to protect the interests of the Georgian people,” stated Michel after the meeting. “There are many difficult and complex challenges in this country, economic development, the social situation, COVID-19, security, stability – these are very important challenges that must be overcome. That is why this political crisis must be resolved urgently, and today I’m proud that important and good steps have been taken in the right direction. This does not mean that everything is resolved, but when I asked all the participants if they were ready for dialogue to find a solution together, their answer was “yes.” This is a good step, an important step, and we will continue to support all positive efforts,” he added underscoring that the EU would assess the situation in Georgia within two weeks.

“The call, recommendation and advice of the President of the European Council was that we should all find a common language as soon as possible, including the opposition and the government,” said Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. “We agreed that this dialogue will continue. I will have a consultation with the political council of the Georgian Dream, and we will take further steps. I hope the opposition will continue to work in such a constructive mode,” he added. 

The leader of the opposition Lelo party Mamuka Khazaradze said that all issues were touched during the meeting. “The main thing is that the process has started, and this process is accompanied by specific deadlines. The deadline is set for about two weeks, on March 16 there is a meeting scheduled in Brussels, and at that moment we, the government and the representatives of the opposition, should be able to resolve these issues for the benefit of our country,” he added.

“The government has so far had an unfavourable position. We have a positive starting point now with the mediation of Charles Michel. President Michel said that he expects progress in the coming days. We cannot overcome this crisis without solving the issues related to Nika Melia and other topics. The politicised judicial cases and the early elections are the key issues in the framework document. These issues are included in this framework agenda at the initiative of President Michel,” stated the leader of European Georgia (EG) Giga Bokeria, adding that peaceful rallies would continue in the country.

The EU ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell also expressed his optimism in the negotiations after the meeting. “A lot of energy went in talks about the current political situation. President Michel was very clear that there is a concern in Europe, and he is personally concerned about the current political crisis. He tried during his visit to inject new impetus into the process. He has taken his personal role in reenergising, reloading the political dialogue,” he stated. 

However, a day after the negotiations took place the political elites in the country reverted back to using inflammatory rhetoric against each other. Garibashvili stated that the opposition parties have continued “destructive actions” and tried to block the functioning of the state legislature’ shortly after the meeting with Michel. “The anti-state, destructive actions do not serve neither the dialogue which began yesterday, nor the state interests. The destructive actions only serve the interests of rival states,” he stressed. It was also reported that seven people were detained during the opposition rallies which were held a day after the negotiations took place. 

Prime Minister Garibashvili also revealed the topics of discussion between the government and opposition the day before, namely the release of the United National Movement (UNM) chairman Nika Melia, changes to the country’s election code and repeated elections. “We will not interfere in the enforcement of the law. Melia and his family or party members have the full possibility to pay the bail at any time. Nika Melia can be released from prison until the final ruling is made into his case,” said Garibashvili in relation to the first topic. In regard to repeat elections in the country, the prime minister emphasised that this topic was a “red line” for the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party. “The ruling team acted and will act in the country's interests instead of private whims or interests of particular parties,” he stated.

In regard to the second topic of negotiations, a session was convened in the country’s parliament in order to discuss the changes to Georgia’s election code. The GD parliamentarians stressed that they would accept the decrease of the five-percent election threshold to three per cent if the opposition enters parliament. This request is based on the requirement that constitutional change necessitates the support of at least 113 MPs in the 150-member parliament. The newly proposed election code also foresees regulations which would bring more professionalised election commissions in the country.