Access to State Institutions Cannot Be Blocked, Says Talakvadze

The Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Archil Talakvadze, has stated that any further blocking of access to state institutions by the opposition will be met with a response from the state. According to netgazeti.ge, Talakvadze emphasized that the opposition will no longer be permitted to obstruct access.

“I appeal to the non-constructive faction of the opposition, whose only aim seems to be the blocking of state institutions. This behavior goes beyond peaceful protest and will provoke a reaction from the state. The ruling team will not allow any destabilization in the country,” Talakvadze said.

During various protests, opposition demonstrators and members of parliament have repeatedly locked the entrances to different state institutions.

It is important to note that mass protests have erupted in Tbilisi due to the failure to adopt constitutional reforms regarding the transition from a mixed electoral system to a proportional one by the Parliament. Protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations until elections are held under a proportional system.

Earlier, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, stated that the 2020 elections would be held under a proportional system. Subsequently, in late October, the Parliament moved to make the necessary constitutional amendments. However, many members of the ruling party, elected under the majoritarian system, did not support the initiative, leading to its failure.