Political Parties Unite

Politicians’ Non-Political Aims

On August 19 the National-Democratic Party, the Traditionalists Party and the United Democrats party have signed a joint declaration, announcing to the society creation of the Coordination Council.

One month ago Irina Sarishvili of the National-Democrats and Zurab Zhvania of the United Democrats initiated meeting of the 8 opposition parties. They condemned a process of government’s criminalization and stressed necessity of establishing basic guidelines in the politics.

But only three parties, the National-Democrats, the Traditionalists and the United Democrats have gathered on the birthday of Gia Chanturia, former Chairman of the National-Democratic Party and Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia’s husband, who was assassinated several years ago.

As Sarishvili-Chanturia has announced “no political alliance or political union was created, at least, this time”.

“We are creating a totally new system of cooperation…  This is a very moment, which requires real responsibility from each one of us, great will from each on eof us, to overcome differences between us and initiate a process of real consolidation” – Zurab Zhvania stated.

Declaration of the Joint Coordination Council embodies general principles of the union of the political parties and their goals, beginning with protection of the democratic values and avoidance of forceful and anti-constitutional development of the political processes in the country, immediate enforcement of the civil freedoms by every citizen and close cooperation with the NATO and the EU with purpose of accession to these organizations.

Decision in the Council will be made by the consensus. The non-governmental organizations also enjoy a right of council vote in the Council.

Representative of the civil sector, David Usupashvili, told Civil Georgia that the non-governmental organizations wish that “those who guards values of democracy and the West should improve their performance first. We were not always satisfied with activities of these parties because they were not always constant in guarding of these values”.

During the press conference held at the National-Democrats office, each speaker was underlining that this union is not directed against anyone.

Sarishvili-Chanturia said that the doors of the Council are open for everyone. “Any party can join the Council on parity grounds” – she said.

The Council members also stated that one of the primary goals of the union is to avoid destabilization, predicted by the Government in the autumn. They say that it is utterly important that the Government will be changed peacefully this time.

“We, representatives of these three forces declare in front of our society that we are ready to walk together along this extremely hard road that we have to walk” – Zhvania said.

Revaz Bakhtadze, Civil Georgia

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