ALL IS UP TO OPPOSITION

Sophico Sichinava

At the beginning of the third millenium, as it was two thousand years ago, humanity seeks for more optimal and human kind of statehood and management. Yet, none of existing forms gained the certain lead, as have both – positive and negative sides.

Only the democratic one that has based on realization of population’s will of electing the government freely is the most acceptable.
Despite that, even the most democratic country such as U.S. has the election law with huge faults – “unfortunately”, Y2000 elections serve as a proof of it. Thereof, problem remains uncovered for whole world. As to us – Georgians, we’re seeking for democratic society, thus prefer the dictate as Asians do. The most difficult for us is our election law. The law that’s reviewed only a day before elections.
Before the winter sessions, Parliament of Georgia should have accepted the new election law, but failed, as was busy with budget problems. About a month ago, Parliament had established the inter-factional group, owing to prepare above named law. Gigi Tsereteli, the vice-speaker of The Parliament of Georgia heads the group, who foresees the spring sessions enough for ending the issue.
Political Parties consider, main reason of their failure was right election law. All of the changes within were favorable for only the governing one. The fact, that renovations always take place not long before elections is not new for us. The final article parliament has approved at the end of sessions was to ascertain the new code by autumn. Now, it’s clear that legislatives will have to work via deficiency.
As politicians declare, election law has to be changed without fail. Chiefly, it appeals to the principle of completing the Central Elections Commission (CEC) and its rights. Existing election law postpones many of questions uncovered, doesn’t regulate them, and gives the opportunity to the chairman of CEC to accept the individual decisions including political one. In most cases, Central Elections Commission has all: legislative, executive, and punitive functions. If trusting political parties, in most cases, CEC receives totally replaced ballots. The Labour Party of Georgia has experienced that much at Y2000 Parliamentary Elections. To the opinion of Labour Party leader, entire political spectrum should participate in accepting the election law.
Avtandil Tkebuchava (Political Secretary of the Labour Party): election law should be accepted with the help of parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties as well as that of political migrants. Then population investigates project. New election law has to be equal for everyone. What we have today?! GCU, President, satellite parties of GCU, opposition and the rest of all have the own quotes in CEC and frame artificial majority thereof. All that is the origin of injustice, existing in Central Elections Commission.
As the vice-speaker Gigi Tsereteli notifies, opposition will never be content with election law. It can not be agreed to the interest of each individual. However, in terms of using general parameters and with the help of international experts, we can accept the pattern that would be preferable for opposition as well. Inter-factional group works intensively on that. They have contacted with USAID and “Election Systems Supporting Fund”, the international organization. January-February will be the period of conclusion closed with sitting. Then group will work on general section of law. As the head of inter-factional group declares, consideration will include the opinion of non-parliamentary parties as well.
David Salalridze (Faction “Industry Will Save Georgia”): Government will not agree with changing election law radically, because they have no other mechanism to be on top. They won’t yield a luxury? Thereof, no inter-factional group sittings will have an outcome. However, I don’t want to be the predictor believing in nothing. Of course, some questions will cause the principal battle. Conclusions by OSCE and EU include lots of corrections concerning election law even for, which international organizations will try to make new law completely different, however, not absolutely resembling to opposition’s demand.
Only the influence of international organizations will be enough for urging our government to renew the law at least in autumn. With that, political parties are given the chance to push government for accepting more democratic law. According to their statement, existing law leaves no way to population for having preferable government. Many of experts and non-governmental organizations share this idea. Spring sessions will be the crucial exam for many of parties – or the exam for opposition that will reveal the ones capable to influence the government; will they be united, or maintain own status-quo for being the surefire partner of governing party to cooperate in future. One is clear, as you can see, spring won’t be enough for renewal. Only the general articles of code will be in time, before local elections. So, it’s expectable that CEC will carry out upcoming local elections with the same form and stuff as it’s today.
Gigi Tsereteli: I think that we’ll accept the certain part of code before autumn. Government inclines to do that, and if opposition does so, acceptance of new code will be in time without fail. Widespread belief that government is going to postpone local elections, Gigi Tsereteli considers absurd.
It’ s difficult to deny the talk by vice-speaker, as it’s unimaginable that the rating of governing party will rise so that it may seize the position of absolute leader. There could be no other reason of delaying elections. Not long ago, the Chairman of Parliament has consulted with opposition parties on that issue.
Gigi Tsereteli: If we are to start reforming the low, structure of local elections should be accorded to that. Reform requires political will and decision by president. If reform sets about to work, elections will be delayed as much as reform lasts. Don’t think that it’s a false, we’ll do our best to be in time.
All highlighted above indicates that government is ready for accepting the new election law. Time will show the result. But, one is true, before then, this code will be the trouble not for only political parties, but for whole society as well. One famous telling could be true to us at this moment: society deserves the government what it is.