Several Georgian NGOs, in particular, GYLA, TI-Georgia and ISFED, call on all political actors involved in the mediation process to sign a renewed proposal made by the European Council President Charles Michel on April 18.

They argue political parties to consider the current crisis, the threat to Georgia’s democratic development and the Euro-Atlantic future when making the final decision.

“The European Council President Charles Michel proposed to the parties involved in the mediation process a new, compromise paper to overcome the political crisis in Georgia. The document addresses the issue such as power distribution in parliament, politicized justice, electoral and judicial reforms. It outlines the deadlines for their implementation. The document may not fully reflect all the requests and interests of the parties involved, but a compromise means to concede and reach a consensus on such controversial issues,” reads the statement by NGOs.

According to NGOs, some political parties have not clearly expressed their intention so far.

“Some parties involved in mediation have expressed their willingness to sign the document, although, unfortunately, some of them have not yet revealed their will clearly. External threats to Georgia, severe economic and social challenges require all political parties to compromise to ensure political pluralism in the supreme legislative body. It is a prerequisite for the improvement of democratic processes. The joint efforts of the western partners and renewed proposal are the real way to end the political crisis in Georgia. We call on all political actors involved in the mediation to consider the current crisis, the threat facing Georgia’s democratic development and Euro-Atlantic future and sign a renewed proposal,” reads the statement.

President of the European Council Charles Michel published a new proposal on April 18. Ruling Georgian Dream and several oppositional political parties expressed readiness to sign renewed EU-backed compromise paper.