PM Dismisses Concerns over Possible Constitutional Majority as ‘Unhealthy Speculation’

PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili, whose ruling GDDG party will gain three-fourths super-majority in the 150-member parliament if it wins at least 46 out of 50 majoritarian MP seats up for grabs in the second round of elections, dismissed concerns over ruling party winning constitutional majority as “unhealthy speculation.”

Speaking at a government session on Wednesday morning, the PM said that the constitution needs amendments, but the process should be carried out through broad public involvement and without any haste.

“Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party is winning with absolute majority, which first of all is a huge responsibility for us before the country and before voters,” he said.

“This speculation as if it is disastrous for the country if the Georgian Dream wins the constitutional majority is utterly unhealthy and very artificial,” the PM said.
 
“In the past we had an example when the constitution was tailored on one person and on a single political force, which led to usurpation of power. We want the constitutional majority first and foremost for delivering on our promises and to implement a very ambitious development plan… which implies creation of unprecedented high level of dynamic for the economic development in order for the country to make a breakthrough in terms of economic, social development and the development of democratic institutions, and to continue those important reforms, which have been launched as part of our European and Euro-Atlantic agenda,” Kvirikashvili said.

“That’s why we want the constitutional majority; that is first and foremost a huge responsibility before voters,” he said.

“We inherited a very unbalanced constitution and a group should necessarily be established, which through broad engagement of the public will elaborate amendments, which would prevent everyone to ever concentrate and usurp the power and to have once and for all truly European, democratic constitution,” the PM said.

He, however, also stressed that there will be no hasty action in this regard.

“That’s not something we will rush to,” he said. “Of course not; haste will not be good here.”

“Our major priority is to create high dynamic of country’s irreversible economic, social, democratic development, and that’s what we promise to the voters and we will definitely deliver on every promise we have made during the election campaign.”

“Constitutional majority, which I hope we will have after the second rounds, is a secondary and is only for delivering on our promises,” the PM said.

He called on voters to turn out at polling stations for the second round of elections, expected for October 30.

The PM said that the October 8 parliamentary elections and the way they were held demonstrated “once again ongoing, irreversible process of democratic development in Georgia.”

“I want to congratulate on this victory of the country and I want to express respect to the choice made by each voter and to especially thank those voters who expressed confidence towards us,” he said.

On top of the 44 seats, which the ruling GDDG party, is expected to take in the Parliament under the proportional representation, its candidates are winning outright in majoritarian MP races in 23 single-mandate constituencies, according to preliminary results.

It means that the ruling party already has 67 seats in the new Parliament – 9 short of majority (76 seats) and 46 short of three-fourths super-majority in the 150-member Parliament – 113 seats are required to pass constitutional amendments.

It also means that hypothetically the GDDG may end up without even having a simple majority of 76 MPs if its candidates lose the races in the second round contests – a scenario, which is considered to be highly unlikely by analysts and many political parties.

In 44 out of 50 districts, where second rounds are expected, according to preliminary election results, GDDG’s candidates face contenders from UNM party.

In one district – Tbilisi’s Mtatsminda constituency – UNM’s candidate is facing an independent candidate, ex-foreign minister Salome Zourabichvili, who is backed by the GDDG party.

In two districts GDDG’s candidates face contenders from Free Democrats (FD) party, but in one of them – town of Gori – GDDG candidate remains actually unchallenged after FD leader, Irakli Alasania, announced about withdrawal from the race, but his name will still remain on ballot paper during the second round. FD candidate is standing in the second round against GDDG representative in Chiatura as well.

In one district – Khashuri municipality in Shida Kartli region – GDDG candidate is facing a representative from election bloc Industrialists-Our Homeland.

In two districts – Mtskheta and Lanchkhuti/Chokhatauri – GDDG’s candidates are facing independent candidates.

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