Consideration of the draft Constitutional Law in Saburtalo region

The Saburtalo region residents attended the public consideration held in Medical University to discuss the Constitutional changes.

The Chair of the Faction Georgian Dream, Mamuka Mdinaradze and Faction member, Deputy Chair of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee, Rati Ionatamashvili, as well as Steering Commission member, expert Vasil Gonashvili and Lawyer of TI-Georgia, Levan Natroshvili answered the questions.

M. Mdinaradze spoke about necessity of changes and introduced main principles and directions after he echoed the NATO PA spring session held in Tbilisi. “Europe’s door is as open for Georgia today as never because holding of NATO PA spring session in Tbilisi confirmed clear message of our European partners that they are committed to support membership of Georgia to NATO and that Georgia deserves to be NATO member. NATO PA President, Paolo Alli stated that it is the issue which is not to be easily decided and it is the issue facilitating long-term development of our country. Conversations about visa liberalization seemed also unreal a couple of years ago but we achieved it soon and I believe that same will be with NATO”.

He noted that development of Constitutional changes is related to legal and technical gaps existent in the Constitution. Practically, new Constitution is being developed except the Preamble. He emphasized the issues not provided in the Constitution – physical integrity, gender equality, rights of disabled, accessibility to internet etc. The new Constitution allows Minority to set up the Investigation Commission.

He spoke about necessity of balance between the Governmental branches and noted the fundamental changes regarding the Court, finances and control, defense and municipalities.  He elucidated the issues entailing acute discussions amongst the society – land, marriage, electoral system.

According to him, on May 22-23 upon consideration of the draft with Venice Commission in Berlin, experts gave the progressive estimation to the changes on human rights. Majority is committed to consider remarks of Venice Commission. 

V. Gonashvili spoke about advantages of Parliamentary Republic preventing usurpation of the Government. “We shall once and forever prohibit a single person from unbalanced administration of the country”. The changes will prevent next Governments from changing the Constitution. L. Natroshvili spoke about pros and cons of the draft and introduced the position of NGO.

According to R. Ionatamashvili, the changes introduced the social state principle implying that the state assumes Constitutional obligation to provide social aid to the citizens. “After changing the Constitution will be the guarantee of integrity of human dignity, conscience and freedom”.

Reporters answered the questions concerning threshold, annulment of blocs and distribution of mandates, as well as agricultural land alienation, electoral system, location of Parliament, Presidential election etc.