The new term cohabitation in Georgian political life that came in use six months ago, created an unfavorable situation for other oppositional parties that remain in shadow. The future of cohabitation after presidential elections is not clear and majority of Georgian parliament risks staying without opposition. In this case the parties inside the coalition of Georgian Dream, that function smoothly right now, may show their claws and manifest their interests; consequently, the coalition risks being disintegrated, losing main political parties. Giorgi Khutsishvili, founder and director of the International Center on Conflict and Negotiation, anticipates this liklihood. Georgian Journal offers interview with Giorgi Kutsishvili, who talks about present situation and future of other oppositional parties in terms of cohabitation.
Q. What do you think about the development of Georgian cohabitation and what role do the oppositional parties outside the Parliament have?
A. In 2012, in the period prior to the parliamentary elections till September, there were opposed poles in Georgian politics: the governing power - National Movement and opposition - Georgian Dream. Georgian Dream collected those parties who, in the opinion of Bidzina Ivanishvili, could become the members of his coalition. Of course, many parties remained outside of coalition and parliamentary elections. There were forces that lacked power and did not enjoy much support of the public but they could play major political role. However, while choosing political parties, Bidzina Ivanishvili made the estimation whether those parties would be appropriate for the coalition or not; for example –the parties that were notorious for their affection for Russia, such as the parties of Burjanadze and Kukava, couldn’t get in. He tried to avoid speculations on this theme during the tense pre-election period. It’s my opinion. I have to say that not all the parties that were united in coalition had high rating and were popular. He chose mainly two parties: Republicans and Democrats and then Forum. But after winning the elections and after creating cohabitation in politics, there is need to think about future development of events: will cohabitation retain its power after presidential elections, or will National Movement disappear from the political scene? In that case majority will stay without opposition. It’s not a productive layout: ruling party needs opposition and in case of absence of one, it should be created.
Q. How do you see the future actions of National Movement?
A. Observing the situation in November, December and January, I concluded that National Movement loses its rating and it needs some rearrangement: some forces should leave National Movement and get rid of their accomplices; better to say - from their likeminded colleagues and odious persons and create a new political power. They could even get some points. But as I see now, National Movement tries to keep political power without partition and rearrangement. It rules out behaving as an opponent inside the party.
Q. How do you assess it?
A. It is a big challenge. The situation calls for partition and new arrangement, but they are not going to do this. Is it possible for cohabitation to become more stable? I think, yes. There is some pressure and influence from outside of the country; especially from America: they advice us to make some agreements to agree on some issues to achieve certain stability and improve the situation in the country; it would help to adopt a resolution at the parliament, for example. Actually, Georgian Dream sees that without cohabitation they won’t gather votes at the parliament. As a result, the lawsuits of former government members were actually suspended. However, there are fundamental differences between them.