Government talks continue as opposition bloc shows wear

Talks between part of the opposition and the ruling National Movement are underway and “going well,” according to the speaker of parliament.

Three parties are sitting in on the talks: the Christian Democrats, which kick-started the process by introducing a set of proposals as a starting point for negotiations; the ruling National Movement and a small party which recently split from the eight-party United Opposition bloc.

The ruling party, which holds nearly eight in ten seats in the new parliament, is seeking to coax opposition MPs into taking their seats in parliament as part of a severely outgunned minority. The first publicly-announced talks were held late on June 10; all parties say there are no agreements to announce yet.

The United Opposition dismisses the negotiations as a “farce.” But the coalition is showing wear at the seams, as another member said he would split from his colleagues by refusing to formally renounce his MP status today at noon.

The bloc is telling all politicians elected to parliament on its ticket to renounce their MP status today or face expulsion from the group.

“I have a feeling that many of my friends will not renounce their [MP status today]. This deadline was set with childish arrogance. We are not in a kindergarten. What’s the difference if we did it on Wednesday, Thursday or any other day?” Bagaturia said this week.

Another leading member of the bloc, Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, leader of the Freedom party and a son of the first president of Georgia, confirmed yesterday that he would boycott parliament, but suggested he may still split from the United Opposition if its policies don’t change.

“The elections were totally falsified and this parliament cannot be considered legitimate,” said Gamsakhurdia at a briefing yesterday.

“I am not going to enter this parliament.”

But in a very public exhortation he said other major opposition parties like the Republicans and Labor, both formerly part of the coalition, should rejoin the bloc to shore up the slowly disintegrating United Opposition.

“Very soon, [Freedom party] will present a package of proposals for the [United Opposition]. They will include a range of issues beyond the extension of the [coalition],” Gamsakhurdia said.

He said he would stay in the coalition if they discuss and adopt his proposals; otherwise, he would “make an adequate decision.”

United Opposition leadership would talk about his proposals, said leading member Koba Davitashvili.