At the session of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), one of the critical issues for discussion was the challenges Georgia is faced with today. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) subjected Georgia's election system to criticism. Sandra Kalniete, a member of the European Parliament, stressed that the country has failed to implement the proportional representation, with this being nothing good for the country's democratic development. The MEPs made speeches after Ketevan Tsikhelasvili, the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality, and Kakha Kuchava, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia.
MEP Marc Gallery also made the electoral system-related remarks at the session.
"Did Mr. Ivanishvili tell you to change the electoral system, but in the background contrived the plan not to let this happen. If you are truly Europeans, admit the truth," he told the Georgian high officials.
MEP Rasa Juknevičienė declared that in the year 2020, Georgia would be put to the test.
"I am sorry to say this, but it is not good for us to hear how a representative of the ruling party complains of having bad opposition; this is against the rules of democracy," the MEP said.
MEP Maria Grigorova made a remark on blocking the parliament of Georgia.
"I hope you will objectively view my opinion and the question as I was there and talked to the pro-governmental forces, representatives of NGOs, and protesters, and they did not confirm the information on blocking the parliament. The parliament blocked itself with its disgraceful "Wall of Tbilisi." This is only the remark, however. The question I want to ask is as follows: when you say that Georgia has never been so close to Europe and the European Union, do you actually think that your political prisoners agree with this?" the MEP remarked.
