Georgian opposition party signs EU-mediated agreement

TBILISI, Georgia

Georgia's main opposition party on Thursday signed an EU-mediated agreement prepared by the head of the EU council to end the country’s political crisis.

After refusing for more than four months, the United National Movement (UNM) signed the five-point agreement prepared by Charles Michel this April.

Party head Nika Melia, visiting the EU representative office in the capital Tbilisi, said after signing the agreement that they decided to sign the deal to accelerate his country’s integration with the EU.

"Despite some controversial clauses in the agr't that prevented us from signing the document, today, considering the risks looming over our statehood, it is our obligation to stand above our opinions & controversies, & sign it," Melia said on Twitter.

Noting difference of opinion within the party on some parts of the agreement, Melia said that they signed it today as stability in the country and its integration with the EU are paramount.

European Council-led agreement

Under an agreement brokered by Michel during his visit this April, a number of people the opposition calls political prisoners and those arrested in 2019 during protests against the Russian delegation in the capital Tbilisi are set to be released.

It also calls for early general elections in 2022 if Georgian Dream, the ruling party, gets less than 43% of the votes in this year's local elections.

In addition, the next parliamentary elections are set to be held with a 2% threshold with a fully proportional system, and the opposition will participate with more representatives in the election commissions.

It envisages making judicial reforms with parliament's contributions as well as selecting heads of parliamentary committees from among the opposition.

The agreement caused discord among the opposition Monday, with some parties reluctant to sign the agreement due to the country’s ongoing political crisis.​​​​​​​