Salome Samadashvili: Fearing the loss of power, Georgian Dream has decided to limit the free political space in the country - the initiation of the bill will have a negative impact on the EU assessment on Georgia

Georgian Dream is doing everything to prevent us from getting candidate status. Therefore, it is clear that they are preparing more for this scenario because this is their task, Salome Samadashvili, a member of Lelo, told IPN regarding the amendments to the law planned by Georgian Dream, according to which the law regarding the arrangement of temporary constructions during gatherings and demonstrations is getting tougher and new prohibitive norms will come into force.

As Salome Samadashvili pointed out, the initiation of the said draft law will already have a negative impact on the assessment of Georgia by the European Union.

"It is clear to everyone that Georgian Dream is already catastrophically damaged politically. Surveys also confirm that this government will not be able to gather 76 votes, which are needed to form the government in the next elections. Now, fearing the loss of this power, it seems that Georgian Dream is firmly determined to do everything and limit free space and political space in the country. Among them, I think they are preparing, for example, if they make a sabotage attempt and drop the candidate status process, it can really lead to people taking streets, because we saw how the public reacted last time.

For example, if Georgian Dream successfully completes the impeachment procedure or does something else, it will directly affect the results of the candidate's status, and now they are preparing to limit the free space. There is no other necessity for the adoption of this bill. However, even the initiation of the draft law will have a negative impact on our assessment from the EU side, because it is not a step taken in the direction of strengthening democracy," said Samadashvili.

For information, the ruling team plans to tighten the law and introduce new prohibitive norms regarding the arrangement of temporary constructions during gatherings and demonstrations. Amendments to the law "On Assemblies and Manifestations" are ready for discussion at the initiative of the Georgian Dream deputies, according to which the participants of the assembly and demonstration will be prohibited from setting up temporary constructions if their arrangement: poses a threat to the participants of the assembly or demonstration or other persons; prevents the police from maintaining public order and protection of security; causes disruption of the normal functioning of an enterprise, institution or organization; is not related to the holding of an assembly or demonstration. In addition, according to the draft law, "in order to avoid distortion of the appearance of the public space", the participants of the assembly or demonstration are prohibited from setting up a temporary structure if the assembly or demonstration is not significantly hindered without its arrangement. According to the explanatory note of the draft law, the reason for making changes to the law "On Assemblies and Manifestations" is the statement issued by the State Security Service on September 18.