Georgian Public Defender affirms legitimacy of 11th Parliament’s inaugural session

Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani on Tuesday said the inaugural session of Georgia’s 11th convocation Parliament, held on Monday, was convened “completely legitimately” and in line with the Constitution, following the announcement of the summary protocol of last month’s general elections.

Ioseliani explained his office has prepared and submitted a report for the legislative body, with the document containing the “work done throughout the year”.

All other articles, other arrangements, including the constitutional lawsuit [filed by the country’s President Salome Zourabichvili last week against the constitutionality of the elections], cannot be superior to the Constitutional provision [on the Parliament having to convene within 10 days following the publication of the protocol]”, he said.

Neither regulations nor any other legislative act is a document of higher hierarchical importance than the Constitution. Anything else is a matter for discussion”, he added.

The Public Defender said the Constitutional Court would consider and make an “appropriate decision” regarding the complaint, claiming it had “nothing to do with the legitimacy of the [Parliament’s] assembly”.