Irakli Kobakhidze: We Believe we will Receive Absolutely Positive Opinion on Draft Constitutional Law

„Experts of the Venice Commission did not have comments on the electoral system. Consultations with them on the issue will continue and we are sure that we will have an absolutely positive opinion on the whole document, including electoral system of the Parliament,” - the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia said in Berlin, after the end of the conference.  

According to Irakli Kobakhidze, questions were not asked on the electoral system of the president, because, he explains, the procedure is compatible with best European practice. 

The Speaker of the Parliament mentioned the statement of the Secretary of the Venice Commission, Thomas Markert, on the importance of a consensus.

“Consensus is particularly important when it comes to the main law, the constitution of a country. However, it depends on many factors, including on whether the political class is mature enough for the consensus. We are going to do our best trying, but it is important that the opposition shows relevant attitude. In this case, the consensus will be reached. Our goal is to create a document which will be fully compatible with legal principles and which will establish a very elaborate Parliamentary system. If this goal is reached, the constitution will indeed provide a solid constitutional foundation for steady development of our democratic processes”, - the Speaker of the Parliament said.

In response to a question from a journalist, Irakli Kobakhidze mentioned that the discussion was held on various issues, including the bonus system.

“General position is that discussion is going on so far, the final position is not clear yet and we are sure that we will have an absolutely positive opinion from the Venice Commission, considering that the document is in full compliance with legal principles, fundamental principles. It was our ambitious view, it was our ambitious goal and this goal will definitely be reached”, the Speaker of the Parliament said.

On May 22-23 discussion of the draft constitutional law is ongoing in Berlin. The conference, organized with the assistance of the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), will be attended by Members of Parliament of Georgia: Tamar Chugoshvili, Mamuka Mdinaradze, Giorgi Kakhiani, Giorgi Lomia, Salome Samadashvili, Zurab Chiaberashvili, representatives of the Administration of the President, international and non-governmental organizations and experts.