Venice Commission still positive of Georgia’s draft Constitution, gives further recommendations
Tweet 
Share
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”.
The Venice Commission reiterates its previous positive assessment, notably that the constitutional reform process completes the evolution of Georgia’s political system towards a parliamentary system and constitutes a positive step towards the consolidation and improvement of the country’s constitutional order, based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights”, the document reads.
The Commission considers postponement of the entry into force of the proportional election system to October 2024 as "highly regrettable and a major obstacle to reaching consensus”.
However, the Commission members said "commitment of the parliamentary majority in the letter of 20 September 2017 to consider allowing party blocks, together with the reduction of the election threshold to 3% at the 2020 elections is to be welcomed".
The Commission also said that "new complex system for the distribution of unallocated mandates adopted in the second reading reduces the effects of the bonus for the winning party, but still very much favours the strongest party in the country”.
Suggesting immediate adoption of the full proportional distribution system the Commission believes this "would favour pluralism in parliament and be fully in line with European standards”.
The Venice Commission welcomes:
- Introduction of the requirement of a qualified majority of 2/3 of the votes of the Election Board in a presidential election;
- Lifetime appointment for the judges of the Supreme Court;
- Abolition of probationary periods for judges as from 31 December 2024;
- Election of the Public Defender for a longer term (6 years instead of 5) by a qualified majority in parliament.
The final reading of the constitutional draft is scheduled in Georgia for September 26.
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.
The Venice Commission President Gianni Buquicchio said the revision of the Georgian State Constitution "is a major reform meant to transform the current political system into a genuine parliamentary democracy”.
The Venice Commission liked the majority of the changes drafted during the ongoing constitutional reforms in Georgia, says President of Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio.
President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio says he is well-familiar with challenges currently facing the Georgian people.
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.
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.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and the parliamentary majority have held consultations over the proposed changes to the state constitution today.
Although the opinion itself will not be officially published until next week, Venice Commission President Gianni Buquicchio voiced some of his thoughts regarding Georgia’s constitution in an interview with the Georgian Public Broadcaster.
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has prepared its final opinion over Georgia’s constitutional reforms reiterating its previous positive assessment, "notably that the constitutional reform process completes the evolution of Georgia’s political system towards a parliamentary system”.
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.
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has released its final report about Georgia’s constitutional reforms, stating they are a step forward in improving and consolidating the constitutional arrangement of the country.
The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has praised Georgian efforts to carry out systemic reforms in the justice field and provided its recommendations regarding the draft laws about the Prosecutor’s Office and the High Council of Justice, independent bodies responsible for the selection and dismissal of chief prosecutors and an unbiased judiciary in the country.