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