EGI Political Digest 15

 Nika Melia was released from prison

The European Union paid a bail of GEL 40,000 for the release of Nika Melia, On May 8. This action of the EU followed the agreement reached on April 19 between the political parties of Georgia through the mediation of the European Union. Under the agreement reached on April 19 in order to end the political crisis in Georgia, the signatories pledged to “respond to two issues perceived as politicized justice through amnesty and / or taking similar measures within a week of signing the agreement.” 

Nika Melia left the Rustavi detention facility on May 10. After his release from prison, he thanked the EU and US Ambassadors, Carl Hartzel and Kelly Degnan, for their contribution to the EU-mediated talks between the authorities and the opposition. The release of the chairman of the largest opposition party was assessed by the ruling party and the opposition. Anri Okhanashvili, a member of the Georgian Dream, said that “the EU did not allow Saakashvili to implement the Russian destabilization scenario.” Mamuka Khazaradze, the leader of the party “Lelo”: “Another step towards stabilization was taken and this was achieved by signing the Charles Michel document.  After Nika Melia is released from prison, the United National Movement will have to decide whether to join the parliament or not. European and American lawmakers called on the United National Movement to enter the legislative body

The first opposition faction was formed in the parliament

Today, the first opposition faction “Partnership for Georgia” was formed in the parliament. four representatives of the party “Lelo” and three separate deputies, including Armaz Akhvlediani and Shalva Shavgulidze, who previously were members of the European Georgia, in addition to Salome Samadashvili, who officially left the United National Movement, joined the new faction.

The chairman of the faction will be Badri Japaridze, the leader of the party “Lelo”. Salome Samadashvili will hold the post of deputy chairman. Speaking about the faction’s plans, Badri Japaridze said that although they would not be able to carry out “radical reforms”, the April 19 agreement “allows us to lay the groundwork for fundamental transformation.”

Vaccine registration in Georgia has been delayed due to site overload

Registration for the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine was about to start in Georgia on May 12 at 20:00. The website was also opened for those wishing to register for the Astrazeneca vaccine for the age category above 45 years. However, users were unable to register due to a technical defect.

Amiran Gamkrelidze, head of the National Center for Disease Control, explained that the reason for this was the large number of people visiting the site. “As our information services and the IT services tell us, there was a lot of traffic, up to 800 000 users attempted to enter the webpage, and that’s why the system could not resist it , so there was a flaw that took a long time to correct.”

As of May 14, a total of 81,076 vaccinations were administered in Georgia. 13,507 people are fully vaccinated.

Members of Giorgi Gakharia’s team are talking about pressure from the government

On May 11, Gori Deputy Mayors Paata Ivanishvili and Erasti Elijarashvili resigned from the Georgian Dream and their positions, citing pressure from Gori Mayor Konstantine Tavzarashvili over links to former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s political team.

The Gori mayor later explained that he had asked the deputies to resign because they supported Gakharia and were trying to recruit other City Hall employees to the former prime minister’s team.

Former PM Giorgi Gakharia resigned on February 18, citing disagreements with the ruling party over the arrest of UNM leader Nika Melia. On March 22, Gakharia said he was not leaving politics. He hinted at plans to form a new political party. Later, on April 14, six Georgian Dream MPs left the ruling party and joined Gakharia’s team.

According to Tv Pirveli United National Movement will  enter parliament

According to Tv Pirveli the decision has already been made by a majority vote within the team and the United National Movement will enter parliament. The official statement from the United National Movement is not provided regarding the issue yet.

Further detailed information will be available in our next Digest.