President begins ‘Constitution for All’ campaign from Kakheti

A campaign encouraging citizens to voice their opinion on proposed amendments to the current constitution has kicked off from Georgia’s region of Kakheti today.

Recently initiated by President Margvelashvili, the campaign will include public discussions in Georgia’s regions over possible changes such as: the model of the election system, local self-government and people’s role in monitoring politicians, amongst other issues.

Margvelashvili began the campaign trail in Telavi – a municipality in Kakheti region to meet with the local population and hear their opinions over the proposed constitutional changes.

Today we are talking about the constitution… I feel very thrilled when I talk over this issue with Georgian citizens because we are talking, thinking and planning the law which should define our lives”, Margvelashvi said while addressing the audience in Telavi.

Margvelashvili further commented that the state must consider the people’s opinion when forging "the document of consent” and when drawing up the "main rules of a game”.

At the special meeting with representatives of state and civil society organisation President mentioned that the parliament of the country has already initiated fundamental changes to the constitution. Photo by President's press office.

Launching the campaign on March 10, Margvelashvili said he believes this process will support the state constitutional commission working on constitutional changes by bringing them the voice of the main inspirers of the document – the Georgian people.

The State Constitutional Commission decided last year to review the current constitution by the end of April 2017, which is to be followed by public discussions over the proposed changes. The 73-member commission unites state and civil society organisations, parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties and experts.

Georgia adopted its first constitution three years after achieving independence from the Russian Empire on February 21, 1921. However, the country fell to Soviet occupation forces four days later.

The current Georgian constitution was adopted in 1995 following the restoration of Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union based on the document of 1921.