The Central Election Commission of Georgia canceled the party lists of three opposition blocs. They are the Coalition for Change - 11.03% (19 mandates), the Unity-National Movement - 10.17% (16 mandates), and the Strong Georgia bloc - 8.81% (14 mandates). According to the statement, the commission has canceled the registration of candidates nominated by party lists. Now, 49 opposition MPs, who announced their boycott of the work of the Parliament and their disagreement with the voting results, must submit a personal application to the office to enter the Parliament.
“The parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024 were held in full compliance with the principles stipulated by the Constitution, and the commission has compiled a final protocol of the results of those elections in accordance with the procedure established by law,” the CEC statement said.
On November 25, the Georgian Parliament began its work with a single-party composition of deputies. Only 88 representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party were present at the meeting. The opposition does not agree with the election results and does not plan to receive parliamentary mandates.
“Talking about withdrawal of the parliamentary list will not absolve the opposition of responsibility for the crisis we are in. If anyone believes they can escape accountability for the country’s challenges by withdrawing lists, they are mistaken,” Giorgi Gakharia, chairman of the party For Georgia, stated during briefing, Georgian Public Broadcaster reports.
He emphasized that For Georgia would not align with the agendas of either the National Movement or the Georgian Dream.
“No one will pressure us into withdrawing our lists. This topic is being raised by those who have nothing substantial to offer to angry voters. We clarified that this parliament lacks our legitimacy, and we reaffirmed this yesterday. As for the mandates, we will decide when and how to relinquish them, based solely on what we consider appropriate - not according to the dictates of the ‘Natsi’, Ivanishvili, or his party. We will act on our terms,” Gakharia concluded.
