Irakli Kobakhidze: Presidential competences are fully compatible with the Parliamentary administration system

“We will not adopt any essential changes related to the competences. As to the Presidential competences, they are fully compatible with the system we established – Parliamentary administration system. None of our partners within or beyond the country can have any remarks regarding this issue as the status and the competences of the President are rationally determined deriving from the common logics of the Parliamentary system”, - the Speaker stated.

One principal factor of the Parliamentary system is that the President shall be indirectly elected. “From the direct electoral system we shall transit to the indirect as it is paramount in the Parliamentary system – to have indirectly elected President. Correspondingly, no questions will be asked about this issue”.

He elucidated the Presidential election term that the Majority still discusses it and the final position will be achieved after accomplishment of the Committee and plenary considerations. “As to the terms, we have significant objection that the direct Presidential elections are scheduled for the next year. We stated that on the compromise-basis we could leave the direct elections for the next year taking the personal factor into account related to the incumbent President. However, we mentioned that taking the current developments, compromise makes no sense. It was the position of some MPs. We will continue discussions. We can think of alternative decision. Finally, we shall formulate the position within the Parliament after accomplishment of Committee and plenary considerations”.

He spoke about the destructive plans by certain subjects against the Constitutional reform and noted that the plan though unsuccessfully is still being implemented. “It was planned and implemented with participation of the President and Presidential Administration unfortunately which is very alarming especially when the President has assumed significant function regarding the Constitution and it is a shame that against this background, the President plots destructive actions against the Constitutional reform. This plan though unsuccessfully but still was implemented."

The decision regarding the Presidential election term shall be made after discussions. “It is natural to ask logical questions regarding the sense of the compromise. We shall continue discussion and on this basis make the decision when and what regulations shall be enacted”.