updated: 17:07
The Georgian parliament has not suspended the MP status of 51 opposition MPs earlier today per their request.
None of the ruling party MPs, who are 90 in the 150-member parliament, voted for the cancellation of MP status.
Member of the United National Movement opposition party Roman Gotsiridze has stated that the ruling party ‘is afraid of the reactions of international partners’ and that is why they refused to vote for the suspension of status for opposition MPs.
However, he said that the political crisis will not be solved if the ruling party will not accept the conduct of repeat parliamentary elections.
The leader of Strategy Agmashenebeli opposition party Giorgi Vashadze said that ‘now the ruling party will have to make some new offer to the opposition.’
Earlier: 13:57
The ruling Georgian Dream party says that ‘at this stage’ they will not vote for the suspension of status for 51 opposition MPs per their request.
The opposition MPs from six of eight opposition parties and election blocs have requested the suspension of their status.
They say that the October 31 parliamentary elections were fabricated and are demanding repeat elections.
Six of 60 opposition MPs have entered parliament so far.
The head of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze stated earlier today that 20 other opposition MPs also wish to take up their mandates.
However, as we know, due to the bullying and blackmail they are unable to take the step. Our refusal to vote for the suspension of MP status for opposition will be another chance for the opposition legislators to enter parliament,” Kobakhidze said.
Two opposition MPs from Citizens party have taken up their mandates and came to parliament earliet today. Photo: IPN.
He stated that the opposition, with the use of procedural instruments, are trying to sabotage the state legislature.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has given even more severe assessment to the Georgian opposition’s actions and stated that it is an attempt to undermine democracy,” Kobakhidze stated.
However, he said that Georgia has a well-written constitution which has genuine levers against the procedural instruments which may contradict democracy.
Kobakhidze said that the Georgian Dream has taken the view of international partners into account when they decided not to vote for the cancellation of the MP status for opposition MPs.
Member of the United National Movement opposition party Salome Samadashvili has stated that Kobakhidze 'has lied' when he said that 20 opposition MPs want to enter parliament.
She stated that the ruling party 'is trying to escape its responsibilities for the current political crisis' when it refuses to vote for the suspension of MP status for opposition MPs.
Fellow member of the European Georgia opposition party Irma Nadirashvili said that the ruling party is violating a law when it tries to ignore the 'legal request' of opposition MPs.