Parliament adopts constitutional amendments
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Georgian Parliament has adopted the draft constitutional changes at their third and final hearing today.
Out of the 119 lawmakers who had registered to vote on the draft, 117 voted in favour and two went against.
Opposition members of the parliament did not participate in the vote.
The constitutional amendments will come into force following the 2018 presidential elections.
These are some of the key amendments into the constitution:
- Georgia will switch to fully proportional elections in 2024;
- The 2020 parliamentary elections will still be held through the existing mixed proportional and majoritarian system but the election threshold will be lowered to 3 percent from 5 percent for these elections only;
- The president will be elected by a special council starting in 2024;
- In 2018 the president will still be elected directly but for a six and not a five year term.
- Selling agricultural lands to foreign nationals will be prohibited.
- The opposition rights in parliament will be boosted, permitting them to create investigative commissions and others.
This morning, before the Parliament voted on the constitutional amendments, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated that Georgia could be proud of the document which "ensures balance between state institutions, a strong parliament, effective government, fair court and an impartial president”.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated at today’s government meeting that the Georgian Dream leadership took a "historically unprecedented steps” to adopt the constitution which would be in line with highest European standards.
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has published its draft opinion over Georgia’s constitutional draft reiterating its previous positive assessment and suggesting that "any major constitutional reform must reach the widest possible consensus”.
Parliamentary Vice Speaker Tamar Chugoshvili says the Venice Commission is expected to reveal its preliminary final report on the draft of the Georgian constitution on September 20-22.
Georgia’s Prime Minister met with the President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio today in the country’s western seaside city of Batumi to once again discuss the changes in the country’s constitution which aim to produce "not only a legitimate, but also a most refined document.”
US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly says he welcomes the planned four changes in Georgia’s constitution that will be added to the already adopted amendments to the law.
Georgian parliament will host international parliamentary an conference: EU and Partners – Embracing Diversity for Stronger Unity on December 4–5 to discuss integration with the European Union as a framework for promoting internal reforms, pointing out the benefits and challenges associated with the EU-inspired transformation.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili hosted a reception at the Atoneli presidential palace last night to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the signing of the State Constitution. Although Georgia adopted its first constitution three years after the country gained independence from Russia in 1918, four days later the country again fell to occupation by Soviet forces.
The parliament of Georgia has today approved amendments to the Law of Georgia on Competition that sets the principles for protecting free and fair competition from unlawful restrictions in order to spur on the development of free trade and a competitive market.
Part of the amendments to Law of Georgia on Competition that sets the principles for protecting free and fair competition from unlawful restrictions in order to spur on the development of free trade and a competitive market, are coming into force today, announces Georgian Competition Agency.