Girchi–More Freedom party leader Zurab Japaridze echoed European Parliament members statement following the EU-mediated failed talks between the government and the opposition.

Japaridze claims the government should react to the statement that calls for consequences in terms of EU financial assistance.

Japaridze refuses to sign the EU mediator’s document. “The country is in a catastrophic situation and this crisis will deepen. The only way out of this crisis is early elections,” he stressed.

As to the Citizens party leader’s statement that the opposition would not sign the EU mediator’s document even if Rurua were released soon, Japaridze could not recall such a moment during the talks.

“We would not sign this document only for Rurua’s release. Since the document did not mention early elections, we would not sign it. Rurua and Melia have the same position,” Japaridze stated.

The Citizens party leader Aleko Elisashvili unveiled the details of the failed EU mediated talks on Friday. He said one of the EU structures was ready to pay Melia’s bail to release him. The June 20 case would fall under amnesty, and Giorgi Rurua would be released in November. Elisashvili noted that the opposition demanded Rurua’s immediate release. Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze asked the opposition representatives whether they would sign the EU mediator’s document in case of Rurua’s fast discharge, but they rejected the idea.

The second EU-mediated attempt to solve political crises in Georgia failed earlier this week. EU mediator Christian Danielsson said he proposed a solution that puts the country’s interest first to the parties, but none of the political actors agreed on the solution.

The Georgian opposition parties that won seats in the Georgian Parliament of the 10th Convocation believe the 2020 parliamentary elections were a fraud. They have been demanding repeat parliamentary elections and the release of the United National Movement Chair, Nika Melia, and the co-founder of the TV channel Mtavari Arkhi Giorgi Rurua.