UNM’s Sanikidze: Critical bipartisan majority supports MEGOBARI Act; it’s just procedural delay

“We are dealing with a procedural delay, which pertains to the procedural steps involved in adopting the MEGOBARI Act. A critical majority, encompassing both Democrats and Republicans, supports the adoption of the MEGOBARI Act,” stated Levan Sanikidze, a member of the United National Movement (UNM).

Sanikidze expressed confidence that the issue surrounding the MEGOBARI Act will be reactivated in the near future. He emphasised the importance of maintaining bipartisan support.

“When such support exists from both sides, it is impossible for a procedural delay to prevent the enactment of the MEGOBARI Act. It is only a matter of time, how and in what form it will be realised. It may not be included in the original legislative package discussed earlier, and it could be enacted under a different format. The key point, and what we are actively working towards, is that bipartisan backing remains intact.

A very considerable majority is in favour of the MEGOBARI Act. They recognise that Georgia needs it to be adopted, as it would be a significant contribution to the struggle of the Georgian people. Therefore, it is only a matter of time, and I would focus solely on the technical aspects. I am certain that the spirit and intent behind the MEGOBARI Act will be realised. The Georgian Dream should not harbour false hope in this regard.

Based on our information, approximately 97 or 98 senators out of 100 supported the adoption of the MEGOBARI Act. One or two opposed it, largely because it was being considered alongside a legislative package with which the Act was initially linked. When a critical majority supports its adoption, appropriate technical measures will be implemented to ensure the MEGOBARI Act passes,” Sanikidze added.

For context, Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen recently stated before the Helsinki Commission: “It is unfortunate that the Senate didn’t pass, and it looks like they’re not going to pass the MEGOBARI Act. There were some problems over there, and it might have been related to one particular business that’s building a port. One individual was able to apparently kill it.”