The Georgian Opposition Launches the Parallel Working Process on the EU Recommendations
In parallel to the commissions and working groups established by the ruling Georgian Dream party, a portion of the opposition started working with civil society organisations and experts to draught the necessary legislation to fulfil the 12 recommendations listed by the European Commission for EU candidate status.
Independent MPs Tamar Charkviani, Tamar Kordzaia, Shalva Shavgulidze, and Armaz Akhvlediani, as well as parties such as the United National Movement (UNM), Lelo for Georgia, Strategy Aghmashenebeli for Georgia, and For Georgia, participate in the parallel working process. Parties such as European Socialists, Citizens, and Girchi do not participate.
According to Lana Galdava of Lelo for Georgia, if Georgian Dream desired to initiate a democratic and inclusive process, it would have reached an agreement with opposition leaders. She noted that the tone used by representatives of the governing party signalled that the process would not be outcome-focused.
Ana Buchukuri, a representative for Georgia, commented, "We would prefer that everyone sit at the same table since parallel processes are improper." She noted that their party would continue to engage in both processes as long as they believed they were making a meaningful contribution.
Nikoloz Samkharadze, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, stressed that the opposition's decision to initiate a parallel process demonstrates, once again, that they inhabit a different universe. The chairperson said, "This is a sad effort to discredit the government's work."