Parliament Prolongs Constitutional Reform Commission’s Mandate Again

Parliament extended on September 4 for third time already mandate of state commission on constitutional reform for another almost six months till February 29, 2015.

The decision means that adoption by the sitting Parliament of constitutional changes, which the commission has yet to draft, has now become less likely.

Previous time when the Parliament extended commission’s mandate for six months till September 15, parliament speaker and chairman of the commission Davit Usupashvili said in February that taking into view complicated and lengthy procedures for confirming a constitutional amendment, the sitting parliament would hardly be able to pass constitutional reform if amendments were not tabled before September 15.  

The commission was established in late December, 2013 with the original mandate to table draft of constitutional amendments by September 1, 2014. The commission is made up of five working groups, addressing areas ranging from checks and balances between the branches of government to territorial-administrative arrangement and general constitutional provisions, as well as rules of making amendments to the constitution.

Passing of a constitutional amendment requires its adoption by the Parliament with three hearings during two separate sessions with an interval of at least three months. Support of at least 113 lawmakers in 150-member Parliament is needed for passing of a constitutional amendment.

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