EU mediation fails to secure a breakthrough in Georgia's political impasse

An EU-mediated effort to try to resolve the current political crisis in Georgia has failed. 

Christian Danielsson, European Council President Charles Michel’s Personal Envoy, emerged in the early hours of Wednesday morning (31 March), after an eight hour meeting with the leaders of government and opposition parties, admitting that he was “sad to report that none of the political parties could agree to this solution in whole”.

The stumbling blocks were the two issues that have been at the centre of the dispute from the beginning, namely the opposition demands for early elections and the release of opposition leaders who are in prison. Opposition parties have been boycotting parliament since the 31 October parliamentary elections, which they claim were falsified – a claim not sustained by international observers.

Danielsson returned to Tbilisi over the weekend for a second round of negotiations. He developed a document which he asked all the sides to agree to as the way forward. Apparently not a single one of the political parties present agreed to the text.

Danielsson now returns to Brussels where he will report to European Council president, Charles Michel. It is not clear if he will continue his mission after that.

 
Source: commonspace.eu 
Photo: EU brokered talks between government and opposition held in Tbilisi on 30 March 2021.

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Ukraine protests continue as Zelenskyy offers new anti-corruption bill after European pressure

Ukraine protests continue as Zelenskyy offers new anti-corruption bill after European pressure

Ukrainians are taking to the streets to protest a new law they worry will undermine the work of two key anti-corruption agencies and erode the independence of bodies meant to provide a check on power. Protests are growing and spreading around the country even as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered a vague new bill to alleviate demonstrators’ concerns. After a day of pressure from Ukrainian citizens, the European Commission and many European governments, Zelenskyy said he “heard the public opinion” and promised to fix the situation with a new bill that he pledged would preserve the independence of corruption agencies.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Ukraine protests continue as Zelenskyy offers new anti-corruption bill after European pressure

Ukraine protests continue as Zelenskyy offers new anti-corruption bill after European pressure

Ukrainians are taking to the streets to protest a new law they worry will undermine the work of two key anti-corruption agencies and erode the independence of bodies meant to provide a check on power. Protests are growing and spreading around the country even as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered a vague new bill to alleviate demonstrators’ concerns. After a day of pressure from Ukrainian citizens, the European Commission and many European governments, Zelenskyy said he “heard the public opinion” and promised to fix the situation with a new bill that he pledged would preserve the independence of corruption agencies.