EU ambassador responds to ruling party’s criticism on suspension of opposition MPs

EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has responded to critical comments made towards him by the ruling Georgian Dream party members on the recent suspension of three opposition MPs. 

Hartzell has stated that the parliament’s decision last week to suspend the status of three opposition MPs – Badri Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria and Shalva Natelashvili could harm inclusiveness and plurality in the state legislature. 

The ambassador says that less seats occupied in parliament equals less pluralism. 

He stated that the EU has done its best, including through the April 19, 2021 EU-Mediated agreement, to ensure inclusiveness in parliament. 

Hartzell said that it is still unknown how the suspension of the MPs would affect parliamentary work. 

Japaridze, one of the founders of the Lelo party, has been dismissed for his recent conviction for fraud, while Natelashvili and Khoshtaria had their mandates suspended due to absence at sessions. 

The ruling party MPs said that Hartzell’s comment on the issue lacked the provision of a legal context.