MEPs visiting Georgia met with opposition representatives to discuss the situation in the country. As Badri Japaridze, the leader of the Strong Georgia coalition, stated, the position of the parties that passed the electoral threshold remains unchanged - they believe the solution is to hold new parliamentary elections.
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"This will reconcile society and, first and foremost, prevent further escalation. Extending this decision, with the Georgian Dream pretending that nothing is happening in the country, will only worsen the situation. That is why we all need to think about how to ease the situation, and the only way to do so is to agree on holding new elections," said Badri Japaridze after the meeting.
According to opposition leaders, in addition to re-elections, they discussed the violence against those illegally detained and the protesters, as well as sanctions, during their meeting with the MEPs.
"The visit of such a high-ranking delegation is very important. It is a very large group, offering full support for the Georgian people. We discussed what steps they could take. In addition to personal sanctions, criminal proceedings can be initiated. The EU can do a lot. We have full support from Europe to win this battle. Everyone is impressed by the ongoing protests of the Georgian people. I urge everyone to come to Rustaveli today, so they can see for themselves how we gather every day," said Giorgi Vashadze, a member of Unity - National Movement.
Nika Melia thanked the MEPs for their statements and the resolutions adopted, but he emphasized the need for their implementation.
"The coming days, weeks, and months will significantly determine the fate of this state for at least the next 10 to 15 years. Therefore, there is little room and time for discussion. Simply signing a piece of paper is definitely not enough to overcome this crisis. The crisis can only be overcome if hard, concrete decisions are implemented. This includes sanctions," said Melia.
According to Dimitri Tskitishvili, a member of the Gakharia for Georgia party, there are areas where the European Union can take effective steps, such as restricting visas for specific individuals - high-ranking officials. Tskitishvili also noted that "what Georgian Dream has done with the erosion of democracy and stolen elections can only be corrected through elections."
The Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Pawel Herčinský, also attended the meeting.
The MEPs will also meet with the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, as well as representatives of civil society and journalists.
The delegation includes Rasa Yuknevičienė, Nathalie Loiseau, Bernard Guetta, Michal Sterba, Tobias Kremar, and Rainier van Lanches-Hot. According to the latter, they are on a fact-finding mission in Georgia.
