Parliamentary Elections 2016 over: What’s next?

The Parliamentary Elections of 2016 are over in Georgia. Here is what comes next.

Key dates

Georgia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) should summarise the final results of the elections by November 18, at the latest.

The first meeting of the new Parliament should be held on or before November 19.

The rules of procedure of the Georgian Parliament says the first meeting must be held after the CEC summarises the final results, but no later than 20 days after the second round of vote. The second round took place on October 30, meaning the latest date for the new Parliament’s first meeting is November 19.

President’s role

The exact date of the new Parliament’s first meeting must be defined by the country’s President. Moreover, the President will open the first meeting.

First thing the new Parliament does

At its first meeting, Parliament will elect a Parliament Speaker and Vice Speakers. Lawmakers will also form committees and select a chairperson for each committee.

Forming Cabinet

Once the new Parliament is formed, the current Cabinet is deprived of its official powers. The Prime Minister and Ministers become acting officials, after which procedures begin to form the new Government.

Five days after the current Cabinet is freed from power, an election subject with the best election results (in this case Georgian Dream party) should present a Prime Minister nominee to the President. Two days later the President will present this Prime Minister nominee to Parliament.

The Prime Minister nominee will have seven days to choose Cabinet Ministers and present them to Parliament to receive a vote of confidence.

Parliament will have seven days to discuss the issue and either give or deny a vote of confidence to the new Cabinet.