Ruling party head: EU, US ambassadors ‘seem not to be well-informed’ about ‘incorrect stipulation’ in constitutional bill
Head of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze has responded to critical comments of the EU and US embassies on constitutional amendments. Photo: GD press office.
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Head of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party Irakli Kobakhidze has responded to the criticism of the EU and US embassies on the removal of a stipulation from constitutional amendments on the election rule of Georgia's prosecutor general.
Kobakhidze stated that the stipulation was ‘legal nonsense,’ noting that the US and EU ambassadors ‘are likely not to have had’ proper and correct consultations around the issue.
The statements released by the embassies are the result of an incorrect legal analysis,” Kobakhidze said and added that he is ready to meet with the ambassadors.
The Georgian parliament approved constitutional changes late yesterday with its first reading without the stipulation on the election rule of the prosecutor general.
U.S. Embassy Statement on Parliament’s First Reading of Post-April 19 Agreement Constitutional Amendments https://t.co/yPXzvlDalQ
— U.S. Embassy Tbilisi (@usingeo) September 7, 2021
The initial amendments, which were drafted in line with the April 19 EU-mediated agreement, proposed that the next two convocations of parliament must elect the country’s chief prosecutor by the support of three-fifths of MPs.
If the parliament failed to elect the prosecutor general twice in this way, then the parliamentary majority (at least 76 MPs) would elect him. However, the prosecutor general elected by the parliamentary majority would be elected for one year instead of six.
Prior to the vote Kobakhidze said that the stipulation was incorrect and weakened the institute of the prosecutor’s office, because reaching a large-consensus over a single candidate would be ‘actually impossible’ and finally the majority will have to elect the prosecutor general for a one-year term.
My remarks following the Parliament’s withdrawal today from the constitutional amendment on an improved appointment procedure for the Prosecutor General
— Carl Hartzell (@CarlHartzellEU) September 7, 2021
➡️ https://t.co/1gZHVtKMuT pic.twitter.com/0Dc1B8agiq
The EU and US embassies have assessed the removal of the stipulation as ‘yet another missed opportunity to increase the independence, transparency and integrity of Georgia’s judiciary’.
Other amendments approved yesterday include that the next two parliamentary elections in Georgia must be held with a two per cent election threshold and per a fully proportional electoral system and that the number of parliamentary faction members must not be less than four in the current and in the next two convocations of the state legislature.
Two readings are still ahead for the final approval of the amendments which will need the support of at least 113 MPs in the 150-member parliament.