Focus on the parliamentary elections to make sure it’s free and fair

Prior to the 2020 Parliamentary elections in Georgia, former United States Assistant Secretary of State David J. Kramer thinks that in times of challenges generated by the coronavirus, Georgia should focus on making sure that "the elections are free and fair, met with acceptance by all political parties and pass the test of OSCE". If practiced all the above mentioned, David Kramer believes it will be "another major accomplishment for Georgia, regardless of who wins"

“Georgia needs to stay alert from Russia“ – Kramer suggests, as the Russian interference in the election is a major concern.

Talking about the elections, Kramer also recalls the transition of power back in 2012-2013 which created the precedent, that if the population of Georgia expresses the will to change the government, there is an expectation to see the peaceful transition.

Kramer also spoke with the "Mtavari Channel" not only about the elections but on how the country dealt with the coronavirus before the second wave of the epidemic.

In response to a journalists' question, what if the government imposes curfew right before the elections, as the rumors say, Kramer suggests that all political parties, as well as civil society and scientists, should get fully engaged into a dialogue for making such a decision. "Transparency is the best way to deal with it and the full engagement of the full spectrum" - he says.

In addition, David Kramer spoke about American politics, how the country dealt with the coronavirus, and on what challenges are to be expected after a crucial US presidential election in November.

Kramer recently has published an article - TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS: FROM BAD TO WORSE TO WHAT NEXT. The publication was made possible by the Black Sea Trust, within the framework of a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States and published in Georgian by EPRC Georgia.

Authored by: Tamar Chikviladze