Political violence should be stopped in Tbilisi

Kristian Vigenin (Member of the European Parliament, BG) and Borys Tarasyuk (Member of the Ukrainian Parliament), Co-Presidents of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, have condemned the 8 February violent demonstration in front of the National Library of Tbilisi, Georgia, which prevented President Saakashvili from holding his annual address to the nation and caused injuries to some representatives of the United National Movement.

“We had been following with interest and hope, last October, the first ever constitutional transfer of power in Georgia happened through parliamentary elections. This had been a signal of evolution of the country towards becoming a modern democracy. Of course, the cohabitation of the major political forces in Georgia, vesting the functions of the President and the Prime Minister, in the run-up to the Autumn Presidential elections, is a challenge.

However, political violence and use of force against political opponents are not tolerable as they go against the basic principles of democracy and it cannot be excused. As Co-Presidents of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, a multi-lateral parliamentary institution which brings together the Members of the European Parliament with those of the Eastern European Partner countries pursuing a project of European integration, political association and deep economic inter-action, we recall our firm commitment to the values and principles of democracy.

We have learnt that one of the former office-holder of our Assembly, Ms Chiora Taktakishvili, is amongst those injured yesterday by the supporters of the majority parties in power. We urge the Georgian authorities to take all the necessary actions for the democratic and proper functioning of state institutions and the protection of their elected representatives. We welcome the fact that PM Ivanishvili condemned “unconditionally and unequivocally” these acts of violence; beyond the promised measures to identify the instigators, such practices are not only against the consolidation of democracy in Georgia itself, but run counter to the European integration process embraced by the country. Maintaining the rule of law and protecting the basic principles of democracy remains the responsibility of every political player in Georgia including, first and foremost, of the new Administration.