Opposition parties of Georgia have released a joint statement, which is signed by the Girchi, European Georgia, United National Movement, New Georgia, Republican Party, Civil Movement, Free Georgia, European-Democrats, Party for Justice, Movement for New Georgia, For Victorious Georgia, Law and Justice, Free Democrats, Society of Georgian Parliamentarians, Democratic Movement - United Georgia, Serve Georgia, Civil Alliance for Freedom, Georgia among Leaders, National Democratic Party, Movement State for People, Christian-Conservative Party, Lelo, Nato Chkheidze, MP of Georgia.

“Georgia and the whole world are facing significant challenges due to COVID-19. In order to overcome this challenge, steps were taken, which are hitting our economy. This situation may get worse. The scale of the possible damage is still difficult to calculate, although it is clear that the damage will be large. The economic crisis will also endanger Georgia’s fragile democracy, which must withstand a major test in the upcoming parliamentary elections this year.

We have fundamental differences with the Government and despite the crisis, we expect the Government to fulfill its commitments, implement constitutional and electoral reform, and release political prisoners.

Nevertheless, the current situation in the country will be seen as an opportunity of boosting the democracy, multi-party cooperation and of expressing a joint position of government and opposition in the wake of the overall national crisis. Specifically, among the political forces, there is a full consensus that Georgia’s economy needs a significant financial injection from our strategic friends and international organizations in order to maintain economic equilibrium during the pandemic and save the economy.

The Government is in urgent need of international financial support, and no matter how critical we are towards them, we fully support them in these efforts. It is in our common and vital interest for our country to receive international assistance that will enable the country’s authorities, both the current and the future, which will be formed after the elections in accordance with the political will of the Georgian people, to overcome the serious economic and social crisis”, - reads the statement of opposition.