Opposition MP Salome Samadashvili believes that the President of Georgia should veto the amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses.

As Samadashvili said before the meeting in the Presidential Administration, only the President can stop the process now.

"It's the President's discretion to use her constitutional veto power. The meeting is being held at the initiative of the president. I believe that these changes, which were very hastily and secretly adopted by the ruling majority, - toughening the punishment for administrative offenses and effectively restricting the space for freedom of expression in our country should be stopped by any mechanism. The quickest way to stop this under the Constitution is to veto it. Obviously, I will share my vision with the President. The experience of other countries on this issue shows that a similar way, means of repression are used by countries where there is simply no space for democracy. By signing the Charles Michel document, we agreed that steps should be taken to expand the democratic space in the country and not the other way around.

These changes, which were adopted in an accelerated manner without the participation of the opposition, do not correspond to the spirit of the agreement that we signed here in the presence of the President. Obviously, I think it would be right for the president to use his veto power, but it is up to him.

We have seen strong assessments from international partners regarding these changes. However, the President has not yet exercised her right of veto, so if she considers that the exercise of this right is in the interests of democracy, I would only welcome it. If the Georgian Dream wants to initiate any changes, I think it should do it for the second time, the changes should be carried out in accordance with all relevant procedures, with the participation of the general public and the opposition", - Samadashvili said.

For information, the President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili is holding meetings with the representatives of the opposition political parties. Meetings are held individually in the Presidential Administration. Throughout the day, the President will meet with the leaders of the political parties that signed the agreement drafted by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.