Opposition MP Koba Davitashvili, former ally of President Saakashvili, intends to submit a legislative initiative to the Parliament over holding a plebiscite in the Adjarian Autonomous Republic regarding cancellation of the region’s autonomous status.
“The Adjarian population should decide whether they need autonomy or not,” Davitashvili said on May 6.
Chairman of the Rightist Opposition, the only opposition faction in the Parliament, Davit Gamkrelidze supported the initiative.
However, Georgian government claims that Adjara’s autonomous status would be “untouchable.”
“The issue of cancellation of the autonomy is not on the agenda. The issue is not under consideration. Adjara should retain autonomous status,” Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said.
“Presently we should adopt the law on distribution of powers between the center and the region. The status of autonomy should remain unchanged,” Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze said.
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