Ruling party MP: Georgian citizens have “given legitimacy” to newly elected Parliament

Giorgi Kakhiani, an MP for the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday said Georgian citizens had “given legitimacy” to the newly elected Parliament in last month’s elections.

In his remarks at the first session of the Parliament, Kakhiani noted it was Georgian citizens who were “deciding whether the Parliament is legitimate or illegitimate”.

He also commented on President Salome Zourabichvili filing a complaint to the Constitutional Court of the country last week on alleged violations of the secrecy of ballot and universality of voting during the  elections  by saying that “filing a lawsuit does not stop the constitutional process” of formation of the lawmaking body.

Georgian citizens decide whether the Parliament is legitimate or illegitimate. Georgian citizens have legitimised the Georgian Parliament. No matter how much the opposition tries to call it illegitimate, it is a feeble attempt”, Kakhiani said.

The MP further added that it was “up to the domestic opposition to decide whether they  enter the Parliament or not”, adding that “nothing will be ruined by their entry or non-entry”.

The majority, which is represented in the Parliament of Georgia and which has been supported by the vast majority of citizens, will continue its activities, we will do everything that we promised citizens during the pre-election period”, he concluded.

Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the  Parliament, on Monday said he “hoped” opposition MPs would attend the inaugural session of the newly elected legislative body later during the day, despite their ongoing protests over the “rigged” vote last month, and  addressed the absence of foreign ambassadors at the event by explaining they had not been invited to “avoid interference” in domestic political matters.