Parliament Plans to Set Up Constitutional Reform Commission

Parliamentary Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said on December 9 that a draft resolution has been initiated in the Parliament on setting up the state commission that will elaborate package of constitutional amendments till April 30, 2017.

The commission will be chaired by Irakli Kobakhidze and it will involve representatives from the President’s and government’s offices, judiciary, parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties, civil society organizations and experts.

Kobakhidze said that the format of the new commission will be similar to the previous one launched in late 2013, which failed to come up with final draft as some major parties showed little interest towards its work.

“The commission’s activities should be carried out in the parliamentary format, because this format will be most efficient and adequate in terms of outcome,” he said referring to the President’s remarks, who expressed readiness to establish such commission. 

“The commission will begin its work by the end of this year and develop the draft amendments till April 30 that will be followed by public discussions and parliamentary hearings,” Kobakhidze said and stressed “active participation” of the Venice Commission in the assessment of draft amendments.

He said that the constitution needs to be revised in terms of checks and balances between the Parliament and the government.

He also said that he would assume personal responsibility for the work of the commission as well as for the content of the document prepared by it.   

“I can promise right now that if there is any norm, which will be assessed negatively by the Venice Commission, such norm will not be approved by the Georgian Parliament,” Kobakhidze said.

“Our task is to establish once and forever such constitutional system, which will promote the country’s long-term democratic development,” he added.