State Chancellery Insists on Postponing Local Elections

(Tbilisi, March 11, Civil Georgia) – Badri Khatidze, Head of the President’s Regional Management Service claims that it is impossible to hold local elections in June 2002, because of the lack of time for necessary preparations.

The Parliamentary Committee on Regional Policy and Self-Governance discussed the draft law on local self-governance on March 11, proposed by the Citizens’ Union of Georgia [CUG] faction.

The draft foresees elections of the regional governors and city mayors. They are appointed by the President at the moment.

CUG members believe that the President’s administration [the State Chancellery] will do its best to delay the elections and will hinder adoption of the draft, as the elections of the city mayors and the regional governors will significantly diminish President’s influence.