ELECTION NEGOTIATIONS END (FOR NOW) IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TBILISI 000364 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM GG SUBJECT: ELECTION NEGOTIATIONS END (FOR NOW) IN DISAPPOINTMENT REF: TBILISI 318 Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On March 4 Georgia's Parliament approved the first reading of an amendment to the Constitution on elections. The proposed amendment changes the composition of Parliament to 75 party list seats, and 75 "majoritarian" single mandate seats. This move was in opposition to the political opposition's desire for 100 party list seats and 50 "proportional majoritarian" seats (reftel),a proposal which had been the subject of a 2004 nationwide referendum. The United National Council of Opposition (UNC) angrily denounced the vote, and accused the ruling National Movement of breaking their previous commitment to a "proportional" system. A dispirited group of UNC leaders met the Ambassador on March 4 and discussed the news with him. The UNC must now decide how to respond to the government's action, which will require a second and third reading before becoming law. The Ambassador encouraged the opposition to keep negotiating with the government as the amendment moves through Parliament. End Summary. ¶2. (U) On March 4 Georgia's Parliament voted 168 to 2 to approve the first reading of an amendment on elections to the Constitution. This amendment changes the proposed composition of Parliament to include 75 MP seats elected by party list, and retains the current 75 "majoritarian" MP seats elected by single mandate. This move was in opposition to the political opposition's desire for 100 party list seats and 50 "proportional majoritarian" seats (reftel). The UNC and other opposition parties (including the New Rightists and Republicans) angrily denounced the vote, and accused the ruling National Movement of breaking their previous commitment to a "proportional" system of 50 majoritarian seats. ¶3. (C) UNC leaders MP Levan Gachechiladze and Goga Khaindrava, appearing visibly upset, vented their frustration in a meeting with the Ambassador on March 4. Accompanied by fellow UNC MPs Gia Tortladze and Kakha Kukava, Gachechiladze and Khaindrava asked the Ambassador how they could get the government to meet UNC demands if not with street protests? Gachechiladze said the UNC cannot effectively compete in single mandate districts due to the National Movement's financial advantage. The Ambassador suggested they still negotiate for some change prior to the second and third readings. The Ambassador also pointed out that Gachechiladze won a majority of votes in Tbilisi without substantial funds during the January 5 election, indicating that perhaps the opposition could compete. ¶4. (U) Tempers may have cooled somewhat overnight. Following a late night meeting, Republican MP Levan Berdzenishvili commented that such a proposed system is not necessarily the end for the opposition. He said that the opposition could compete in the 75 majoritarian districts with the National Movement, but not with each other. The opposition "should nominate candidates in each single-mandate (seat) through mutual agreement," he said. Gachechiladze said the UNC would announce an "action program to the people in the near future." ¶5. (C) In a earlier meeting with the Ambassador, Speaker of Parliament Nino Burjanadze told the Ambassador that the opposition had refused to accept a proposed, "proportional" majoritarian system and was in effect incapable of negotiating any agreement to the election system. She expressed frustration with the endless negotiations in which the opposition frequently could not present a clear position. She said that in the end the National Movement decided to support a proposal to keep the majoritarian system for the next elections. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) It has become obvious that the UNC is at the breaking point and the ruling party is pressing their advantage. The actual proposal of 75 single mandate seats is likely the most democratic theoretical solution, although it conflicts with the 2004 referendum. Ultimately, the opposition does not now have the seats in the current Parliament to challenge the National Movement's overwhelming advantage. This may change following the parliamentary elections this spring. TEFFT