Irakli Kobakhidze: in case of failure to achieve the consensus on the merit of the parties, Venice Commission has no clear position expressed

“Venice Commission speaks about importance of consensus and we absolutely share this aspiration, though as to the merit of the parties in non-achievement of the consensus, Venice Commission has no clear position expressed”, - the Speaker stated at the briefing.

In response to the question whether the Venice Commission opinion provided the consensus about the Constitutional reform, the Speaker stated that unfortunately, wide consensus is not yet achieved but the document underlines the roles of both parties.

“We speak about the ruling party and Minority. We once again can underline that nothing was done by the Parliamentary opposition for the consensus. Our offer was simple – provision of the list of the issues in case of reflection of which they would support the Constitutional changes. They refused even to this minor offer and thus, majorly impeded to achievement of the consensus. Venice Commission speaks about importance of the consensus and we absolutely share this aspiration, though as to the merit of the parties in non-achievement of the consensus, Venice Commission has no clear position expressed”.

The journalists asked whether the opinion provides the proportional electoral system. The Speaker responded that the opinion provides that the Venice Commission would like the proportional system to be applied in 2020.

“I share this aspiration. I always was and still is the active supporter of the proportional electoral system, though it appeared impossible due to the negative role of the opposition. After we left Venice, we offered the opposition to support the Constitutional changes under the conditions that the system would apply for 2020, though they refused and thus, it appeared impossible to apply the Parliamentary proportional system for 2020”.