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In Parallel to Ongoing Protest of Nongovernmental Sector Parliament of Georgia Passed Code on Local Self-Governance

February 7, 2014
 
Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

77 votes vs 7 – Parliament of Georgia passed the Code on Local Self-Governance after noisy discussions and controversy via third hearing on February 5. Government states it is a step forward to democratization and launch of self-governmental reform in the country.

The code, whose basic articles will go in force soon after the results of local self-governance are announced, was evaluated as invalid by the parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition. Representatives of the nongovernmental organizations jointly left inter-fraction group in protest a day before the Code was passed.

“The amendments to the local self-governmental code will deteriorate election environment in the country. Nevertheless, the government is not doing anything to avoid it,” representatives of the NGOs stated and then left the inter-fraction group in protest. Representatives of the Transparency International – Georgia, Young Lawyers’ Association and Fair Elections (ISFED) decided to quit the group because the Inter-Fraction Group did not even discuss their suggestions with regard to the Code. 

“We had proposals with regard to several questions. We offered the inter-fraction group not to hurry and continue discussion. Namely, we suggested them to set equal - 50% barrier for both mayors and district governors. Also, we suggested creation of multi-mandate election districts. Although these issues were very significant, the Inter-Fraction Group did not even discuss it. So, we could not see any necessity of our presence in the group and left,” chairperson of the ISFED Nino Lomjaria said.

Chairman of the Young Lawyers’ Association Kakha Kozhoridze said the new amendments to the Local Self-Governmental Code farther deteriorates election environment in the country. “In accordance to the Code, initiative groups will not have right to nominate city mayor and district governor candidates. It means, independent person, who does not represent any political party, will be compelled to join any political subject in order to be a candidate in the elections,” Kakha Kozhoridze said.

Members of the parliamentary minority also complained about the aforementioned issues. They quitted the session in protest when separate articles of the Code were discussed. Consequently, they did not participate in the discussion.

The parliamentary minority does not agree with the article of the Code, which allows two/third of the municipal board and city council to suspend authority of the elected district governor or mayor. 

Despite the aforementioned remarks and complaints, the parliamentary majority claims, recommendations of both nongovernmental organizations and opposition political parties were envisaged in the Code. Amendments to the Local Self-Governmental Code will soon impact the welfare of the Georgian population. 

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