Irakli Kobakhidze: Georgian people are victorious adopting the Constitution of the European type

“We had clearly outlined political goal – it was a strong political goal to develop the Constitution of European type and we have achieved the goal”, - the Speaker stated at the Legal Issues Committee sitting. 

The Bill envisages changes to the Constitutional Law and the primary goal is to consider the recommendations of the Venice Commission on four issues.

The Bill reflects main recommendations expressed during the public considerations. “As you know, we have set up the Commission for Public Consideration after initiation of the Bill. The Commission, for one month has held three meetings in Kutaisi, with academic circles, then the similar meeting in Tbilisi, in the plenary hall and the third meeting with the Constitutional agencies. The number of comments has been expressed regarding the Constitution and Constitutional Changes and today, when introducing the Bill, it reflects main recommendations we heard within public considerations”.

According to the recommendation of the VC, the ruling team has developed the Constitutional Bill concerning single manner admittance of the blocs at 2020 Parliamentary elections, annulment of bonus system, Constitutional Court and the freedom of faith. The fifth change envisages replacement of the term “voter” with the “member of the election board”.

The Speaker introduced the changes.

After the discussion, he delivered the resuming speech stating that the ruling party has achieved the goal. “We had clearly outlined political goal – it was a strong political goal to develop the Constitution of European type and we have achieved the goal. Once again, there are the forces who failed to win opposing to the Bill in incorrect manner. The winners are the party and Georgian people adopting the Constitution of European type. We considered the changes in academic format and it will enact in the end of 2020. None of the remarks was expressed regarding the text as it is highly improved. If discus Article by Article, every remark expressed was concerning any essential issue. It is our result and the result of the opposition. Hence, you may express political criticism, though it is up to you. Our duty was to adopt improved Constitution and we have realized this goal”.

He stated that the changes are based on the VC recommendations and noted that the bonus system would be a good mechanism for stability, though the ruling team made a compromise.

“Once again, I personally do not share two of these four recommendations – on bonus and on blocs. Bonus system is one of the mechanisms to ensure stability and pluralism. We see the development of this process in Europe. There are risks related to proportional system, especially when political system development level is low in Georgia and thus, I believed and still believe that bonus system was a good mechanism to maintain stability, though we made a political compromise and annul this system”.