Avtandil Demetrashvili: “Why do you think that Misha will become Prime-Minister?”

Natia Zoidze, newspaper Batumelebi

The Regional Center for Research and Promotion of Constitutionalism operates in Batumi. The head of the center Avtandil Demetrashvili has completed working on the constitutional reform and has been holding new post and status for more than a month now.

The Regional Center for Research and Promotion of Constitutionalism is financed by 800 thousand GEL from the budget. The Center has three main functions: educational, research and public.

Demetrashvili’s salary is 3000 GEL. The heads of the department receive 1685 GEL a month.

Demetrashvili will live in Batumi, at #16-18 Selim Khimshiashvili St, in 130 sq. m. apartment. According to him, he bought this apartment from the Ministry of Finances and Economics of Adjara according to the direct purchase rule on the basis of the decree of Levan Varshalomidze (#261,29; 12 2010). He keeps the corresponding documentations in the safe of his cabinet. The document that he showed us notifies that he has paid only 10 000 GEL so far. He states that he will pay the rest later.

The repair works are taking place right now in the apartment of the head of the Regional Center for Research and Promotion of Constitutionalism. The future neighbors of Demetrashvili know that in the apartment deprived from Davit Bakuridze (former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs during the period of Aslan Abashidze’s leadership), Avtandil Demetrashvili is moving in. One more apartment of Bakuridze has been transferred to the head of Batumi prison in this house.

On March 15th Avtandil Demetrashvili met with the representatives of NGOs and journalists in the “press café”. The part of our interview took place in the “press café,” another part in his cabinet. After talking for an hour, Demetrashvili mentioned the President several times in a non-formal way “Misha.”

-Mr. Avtandil, after completing work in the Constitutional Commission, how comfortable is it to live in Batumi?

Batumi is becoming the main city, but this is not central. The main thing is that I have my work now. I will not be working in the university next year. I will have a status of Emeritus. So I needed to have some kind of job. I think heading this center is a big job.

-It was noted at the meeting held in “press café” that you could not gain finances from the international donors for funding this center. You were the secretary of Constitutional Commission when the Georgian Parliament adopted the Constitution in 1995. Then you became the head of the Constitutional Court. You headed the Constitutional court in the early past and now the government is funding the work of the Research Center from the budget. So the government is taking on some kind of obligation to you. Do not you think that these facts raised suspicions among donors towards your persona?

- EU and “Soros” expressed mistrust towards us as to the state organization. They have not said that I am bribed by Misha, maybe that is what they implied, but I still hope that first they see what we are capable of and then finance us. Other funds do not refuse to cooperate. Mainly, funds with us are busy with financing oppositional subjects. I understand their position. It is essential for political balance.

- Is it good that they finance opposition?

- Yes, it is. But it is bad that they did not finance me. We need strong opposition that we do not have unfortunately.

- How was this Center established, what aims do you have and could you tell us why this organization should be financed from the budget or why the donors should give you money?

- The idea about establishing the department that would promote popularization of constitutionalism was born in 1999. We shared it with the government. Misha was either a member of Parliament or Minister of Justice at that time. I do not remember exactly. Misha said back then that it was not going to be a governmental structure and that it could be an NGO. Thus the Strategic Center of Constitutional Research was established back then. USAID financed two books and we held a conference. Then we were very busy and this center was abolished.

I was invited to one of the Opera concerts not too long ago. After the concert I asked Misha about this idea. He said it would be good if this center has a regional significance and is established in Batumi. I agreed.

- Before he became the President, Misha (as you refer) advised you that this Center should be NGO, now he told you that it would be good if it has a significance of Caucasian region. Why? How can this Center be related to the President’s initiative to promote unity in Caucasus?

- It is related. But we do not have function to promote some state union. However, we can promote friendship and voicing this idea. At this phase Azerbaijan has not expressed its consent to join the work of this Center with Turkey and Armenia. Thus it has not become international yet.

- The State Constitutional Commission has just completed its work. The part of the constitutional amendments has already taken force. As the head of the Commission do you take responsibility to ensure that after this edition takes force, no serious changes will be made to the Constitution even in case government changes?

- This is undesired picture. Frequent changes to the Constitution are not desirable. But, sometimes, in some democratic countries, for example in France, the Constitutional Reform has been carried out five times. However, the experience of other countries can be used as an example, but not as a justification. I think some changes will still be made, namely those that regard the issues of rights and constitutional arrangement.

- Some think that the government aims to maintain power by the new Constitution…

- I am glad that there is a political spectrum in Georgia which considers that new Constitution can give basis for changing government by the elections. Because, the new edition envisages interests of voters first of all. Nothing will depend on the President. If you have the support of majority and a right to be in coalition with someone – you are in government. The article 81 of the Constitution shall be amended as the vote of no confidence is protracted to three months. The government has a lot of time to conduct negotiations and offer jobs meanwhile that will make it impossible to declare no confidence in reality.

Some political party thought that the President remained to be strong. Some thought that it is weak. The representatives of two political parties requested that the person who has been selected as President two times, should be prohibited to become PM. This is restriction of human rights. Every constitutionalist will say so, except for Levan Izoria. It is another matter whether or not National Movement will be able to win by qualified majority in the Parliament. If not, why do you think that Misha will become the President?

Source:  www.netgazeti.ge