GD MPs Slam President’s Decision to Boycott Constitutional Reform Commission

Lawmakers of the ruling Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia (GDDG) party slammed the Georgian President’s decision to boycott the planned state constitutional commission as “unclear” and “incorrect.”

”It is a very regretful and very incorrect decision and I hope that the President’s administration will revise and change this decision,” Parliament’s Vice Speaker from GDDG, Tamar Chugoshvili told Pirveli TV on Monday.

She also emphasized that “the process will be legitimate, no matter whoever decides to get involved or not.”

The Georgian President’s administration said on December 12 that the President will not participate in the work of the planned state constitutional commission, because the format offered by the Parliament “obviously lacks political trust and political legitimization.”

The planned commission will be chaired by Parliamentary Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze, according to the draft resolution, which will apparently be put on vote in the Parliament this week.

According to the draft resolution on setting up the state constitutional commission, which was officially initiated at the session of the parliamentary bureau on December 12, the President’s administration will have two members in the commission and the Secretary of the National Security Council will also be represented in the commission as a member.

The commission, which will elaborate package of constitutional amendments till April 30, 2017 will also involve: two representatives of the government; chairpersons of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court; heads of legislative and executive bodies of Adjara and Abkhaz Autonomous Republics; Georgian Public Defender; President of the National Bank; chairperson of the State Audit Office; experts and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

Setting up the commission under the Parliament was cited as one of the reasons behind the boycott. The President wanted the commission to be co-chaired by him, Prime Minister and Parliamentary Chairman, but GDDG rejected this proposal.

“If we want to have a normal constitution for our country, a relevant process is underway and we all can get involved in this process and make our contribution, but if our goal is to obstruct the development of the constitution through a normal process, we can do it, but for what reason? ” Chugoshvili said.

Another GD lawmaker, Gia Volski said that the President should “fully” support this process, adding that “any other decisions are those that oppose state interests.”

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