Georgian NGOs criticize idea of lifting electoral barrier

The elimination of the electoral barrier, proposed by the "Georgian Dream" Party, will allow parties with dubious funding sources and created by ethnic minorities to enter the parliament, activists of Georgian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have stated.

On July 1, the ruling "Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia" Party held a presentation of the amendments to the Georgian Constitution, which provide for the abolition of the electoral barrier.

The electoral barrier is important, in particular, for giving a chance for the parties, supported by the population, to enter the parliament, said Nika Chitadze, the head of the Centre for Security and International Relations Studies.

"The abolition of the barrier will allow parties without competence to enter the parliament," said Zaal Andzhaparidze, a programme coordinator of the International Centre for Conflicts and Negotiations.

"Pro-Russian parties could enter the parliament," Sulkhan Saladze, the chairman of the NGO "Young Lawyers' Association", said on air of the "Rustavi-2" TV Channel.

Roman Gotsiridze, the chairman of the faction of the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party, fears that the leader of the "Georgian Dream", who has considerable funds, will be able to attract MPs from small parties to his side.