Opposition launches protests: dialogue through ultimatum?

Tens of thousands of people gathered outside the Parliament on April 9 as the opposition launched the campaign to force President Saakashvili to resign. Protest rally was also held in Batumi, Adjara Autonomous Republic, led by former PM Zurab Nogaideli's opposition party. Opposition stated it would announce its action plan after ultimatum deadline given to President Saakashvili to resign expires at 4pm on April 10. Opposition called supporters to gathered again outside the Parliament on 3pm on Friday. Few hundred protesters were outside the parliament after midnight keeping vigil to resume rally on Friday.

President Saakashvili brushed off protesters calls for his resignation and reiterated that the authorities were ready to engage in dialogue with the opposition on economic and security issues, as well as on democratic reforms. A similar proposal to the opposition was made by the ruling party before the launch of protest rallies, but the opposition declined it.

Georgia as a developing democracy has to display its political culture. Peaceful rallies are a democratic way of expressing public protest and democratic governor should listen to any group of population; however democratic political culture implies that the political decisions are made around the negotiation table rather than in the streets, negotiations should prevail the language of ultimatum, resulting in the unhindered constitutional process in the country.

The following questions are currently pending in Georgia:

1) Is early parliamentary elections and increase of legislative powers the way out of deadlock?
2) Is there a peaceful opposition strategy if the president does not resign?
3) Is early presidential elections the best possible means to insure coalition executive decision-making and improved checks and balances in the country?