Building of Parliament of Georgia in Tbilisi Might Be Assigned to Kutaisi

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

According to the Constitution of Georgia, Parliament is located in Kutaisi. However, government has been openly speaking about return to Tbilisi from the very first day the new building was exploited. In parallel to it, the parliament building in Tbilisi is actively renovated-equipped that directly demonstrates that government’s desire to return Parliament back to the capital will be soon realized. 

However, initially the Constitution of Georgia shall be amended because according to the document, location of the legislative body can be changed only temporarily during emergency or military situations.

Due to current situation, MPs find some solutions and make strange statements for the society. Namely, chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee for Branch Economy Zurab Tkemalaze said: “The building located in Rustaveli Ave. 8 in Tbilisi, where Parliament of Georgia functioned from the first day till October 1, 2012, might be assigned to Kutaisi. As for the idea to locate Parliament of Georgia only in Kutaisi, is obsession of only United National Movement.”

Society had different reaction on Tkemaladze’s initiative. Majority said it was joke. However, Tkemaladze said similar decision is not groundless at all. Moreover, it is well appropriated method in international practice. 

It is unclear whether MP Zurab Tkemaladze’s idea was realized in practice but different politicians already made statements and said it will be connected with complicated procedures.

According to one assumption, name of the part of Rustaveli Avenue, as well as the streets April 9, Zurab Zhvania and Chichinadze in the vicinities of the Parliament building in Tbilisi, might also be changed. Besides that, if the question is positively settled and parliament building in Tbilisi is assigned to Kutaisi, it will need new legal address which will be registered in Kutaisi.

As for the parliament building in Kutaisi, whose construction and equipment cost 37 million lari, its construction has not finished yet. Specialists say another 20 million lari is needed to complete the construction. However, soon after the new political power came in office, government’s representatives stated that they are not going to spend even one more tetra on the building because the parliament building is poorly constructed glassy-iron building. 

Several months after the exploitation of the building “windowless, just ventilated huge building” became object of experts’ evaluation. Based on the MPs request, who complained about insufficient oxygen in the halls and working rooms, scientific-research organization Gama started laboratory examination of the building.

“My colleagues got health problems. They complain of headache, lack of air. Particularly those with Asthma complain about these problems. How can they feel well when they work in the huge building which is just ventilated? Why did not they construct at least one window or open balcony? I definitely know that many will smile at my statement and say that I am talking nonsense but believe me, I am a doctor and I know what I am saying. When brain does not get enough oxygen, person faces threat of brain degrading. I think it is serious problem,” Leader of the Parliamentary Majority Davit Saganelidze told humanrights.ge.

Specialists of the scientific-research organization Gama took laboratory tests almost in every hall and room. They did not make comments with media but said soon the research results will be handed to the legislative body after what society would learn situation in the parliament building.

Parliamentary majority believes that presence of the legislative body in Kutaisi requires extra funds that is too expensive for Georgia.