Margvelashvili: People should elect President

Proposed changes to the State Constitution were among the issues President Giorgi Margvelashvili covered in his annual address to the nation today.

Referring to the review of the election system, Margvelashvili said it should be the citizen’s privilege to elect their president through direct elections.

We cannot deprive people of the right to elect the President. The presidential election needs to be adjusted to the interest of society, neither on the wish of current or former Presidents or Prime-Ministers but on the creation of an effective balance of power”, Margvelashvili said.

There are debates among lawmakers that in the future, the parliament may be entitled to select a president instead of the general public elections as it has been up until now.

Prime Minister Kvirikashvili (L) and President Margvelashvili shake hands. Photo by Parliament of Georgia

To make sure all the citizens of Georgia have the opportunity to express their opinion on proposed amendments to the current constitution, President Margvelashvili has initiated the "Constitution for All" campaign.

The campaign includes 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 said the meetings make it clear that "our society has a lot of interesting views on the basic principles of the country arrangement.”

He said people want more democracy, a strong local government, access to quality education, more elected positions and increased accountability of civil servants, more public engagement in decision making, clearly defined social benefits.

Our society needs a sense of national unity, support and participation in important decision-making process. Let us listen to the people”, President Margvelashvili said.

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.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and other ministers attended the President’s annual address. Photo by Parliament of Georgia

President Margvelashvili delivered his annual address about the state of the nation to lawmakers in Parliament of Georgia today. His speech lasted about an hour and covered a number of issues of state importance.

In his address Margvelashvili assessed the country’s achievements of the past year, the challenges it faces and his vision for the future.