Ruling party offers parliamentary opposition “inclusive procedure” for selection of candidates for Public Defender

The ruling Georgian Dream party will offer the parliamentary opposition an “inclusive procedure” for selection of candidates for the position of the Georgian Public Defender before September 1, party Head Irakli Kobakhidze said on Friday.

Kobakhidze said the procedure should ensure nomination of an individual “equally acceptable” to the domestic opposition and the majority of the Parliament on the position, for ensuring their “high degree of legitimacy”.

Voting to elect the next Public Defender is scheduled to be held no later than December 1, he added, noting  successful election required support of at least 90 MPs.

The requirement pointed to the “equal responsibility” of both the ruling team and the opposition in the process, Kobakhidze said, citing a recommendation of the European Union on the matter.