U.S. Embassy released a statement on Parliamentary vote on proportional elections.

‘As we stated previously, the U.S. Embassy welcomed the Georgian Dream party’s stated intention to transition to fully proportional parliamentary elections in 2020 and considered this an important step in advancing Georgia’s democratic development and strengthening trust among political parties.

We are disappointed, therefore, that despite support from opposition parties, an insufficient number of Georgian Dream parliamentarians supported the required constitutional amendments in today’s vote.

We urge all Georgian stakeholders, including the government, all political parties, and civil society, to work cooperatively in a calm and respectful manner to move forward in line with our shared commitment to strengthening Georgia’s democracy.

We again stress the critical importance of the passage of electoral reform legislation that incorporates the recommendations of international and local observer organizations for addressing shortcomings noted in the 2017 and 2018 elections in order for the next parliamentary elections to create a more level playing field for advancing Georgia’s political pluralism,’- the official statement reads.

The constitutional changes prepared by the parliamentary majority regarding transformation onto the proportional system of elections were turned down in the parliament.

Based on the results of free balloting, the 101 MPs voted for, 3- against the constitutional draft project presented by the ruling team. The 113 votes were needed for the approval of the draft project. The 141 MPs underwent registration.

The Constitutional changes were put for voting with the first hearing in the Georgian parliament earlier this afternoon.

Based on the initiative of the parliamentary majority, the 2020 parliamentary elections are planned to be held with the proportional (party) system under the conditions of 0%, the so-called ‘natural’ election barrier.

The opposition, on the other hand, proposed holding of the parliamentary elections under the conditions of 3% threshold and possibility to form election blocks by parties.