Nika Gvaramia: We briefed the diplomatic corps on what is happening at the Constitutional Court, how we view the ongoing proceedings, and what the consequences of banning political parties would be

“We briefed the diplomatic corps on what is happening at the Constitutional Court, how we view the ongoing proceedings, and what the consequences of banning political parties would be,” Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, told journalists.According to him, holding fair elections in the country would be impossible if opposition parties were banned, while the chances of maintaining and strengthening relations with the European Union would be reduced to zero.

“The main purpose of today’s meeting was to provide the diplomatic corps with a brief overview, highlighting the key points, of what is happening at the Constitutional Court, how we view the ongoing proceedings, and what we believe the consequences of banning political parties would be. We exchanged our views on these matters.

When all mainstream opposition parties are abolished, that amounts to the cancellation of elections. Let me remind you that it is not only the parties targeted by the current lawsuit that will be abolished. Consider all the parties that were part of the coalition effectively abolished as well. Their leaders will be individually banned from political activity, if nothing else.

How can anything that takes place under these circumstances possibly be called an election? It is out of the question. This is perfectly clear to the international community as well, and there is zero chance that whatever takes place after these parties are abolished could ever be recognised as an election in any form.

We are demanding at least minimally fair elections. We have published six demands that the process must meet. It may not be called an election, but in substance, it must constitute one.

Following this decision, the chances of Georgia moving closer to the European Union, or even avoiding becoming significantly more distant from it, will be zero. Relations have already deteriorated considerably even with the lawsuit in place. After this decision, the chances of closer ties with the European Union will be zero,” Gvaramia said.