**Georgia’s Ruling Party Terminates Opposition Members’ Mandates**
In a move that has sparked controversy, Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) parliament has terminated the mandates of 12 members from the opposition For Georgia party. The decision was made on July 2, with GD MPs voting to remove each member individually. The termination of these mandates has left many wondering about the implications for the country’s fragile democracy.
The For Georgia party, led by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, had been boycotting the one-party legislature but still maintained their seats in parliament. However, unlike other opposition forces that formally renounced their mandates after declaring the 2024 elections rigged, For Georgia chose to stay put. Now, their MPs have lost their parliamentary privileges.
GD’s parliament speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, had previously warned that the party would face consequences for boycotting the legislature. “They have ditched parliament for all this period – of course, they will lose their mandates,” he said on July 1. However, despite the termination of these mandates, For Georgia can still enter the rump parliament if its next 12 members choose to take up the seats.
**A Political Power Play?**
The decision to terminate For Georgia’s mandates has been met with skepticism by many, who see it as a move to silence opposition voices. The party’s leader, Giorgi Gakharia, has reacted strongly to the decision, saying that GD’s actions were motivated by politics rather than procedure. “This was never about procedure, but clearing the way for politically motivated prosecutions,” he wrote on social media.
Gakharia also pointed out that the termination of his party’s mandates came without any precondition, unlike previous cases where opposition parties had renounced their seats after declaring the 2024 elections rigged. This has led many to believe that GD is using its power to silence opposition voices and prevent them from participating in politics.
**The Bigger Picture**
The decision to terminate For Georgia’s mandates comes at a time when tensions between the ruling party and opposition forces are running high. The country’s local elections, scheduled for October 4, have sparked a heated debate among opposition parties about whether to participate or boycott the polls.
While some major opposition forces like Lelo lean towards participating in the elections, eight groups have vowed to boycott the polls, viewing non-cooperation with GD rule as the only path to victory. The decision by For Georgia’s leaders to maintain their seats in parliament despite being part of the opposition has left many wondering what other surprises await them in this tumultuous election season.
Read More @ civil.ge
