Refusal from President to parliament on holding of extraordinary session

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili today renounced the request of the parliament on calling of an extraordinary sitting and once again became the subject of criticism on part of the parliamentary majority. 

Nevertheless, the parliament will still hold the session on June 21 based on plural regulations to discuss the package of amendments proposed to be made into Constitution. The first hearing of the project will also take place tomorrow, presumably. 

President urged the parliament not to adopt constitutional changes through a speedily manner and approve the document which would be worked out through joint accord. Head of the state recommended that the parliament prepared a better version based on remarks provided by Venice Commission. 

“My refusal is of political content. I call on the Parliament not to adopt the non-agreed constitutional amendments in an accelerated manner, consider the recommendations proposed by the Venice Commission and provide better draft amendments,” Margvelashvili said.

In return, Georgian Dream Party accused President of taking steps against Constitutional processes. President also criticized election system as proposed by the changes. 

The final version of Constitution will say that future 2020 parliamentary polls will be held with mixed Proportional (party)/Majoritarian (single mandate) rule of elections. Transformation onto Proportional system will be possible for 2024. Disagreement still continues over lowing of election barrier for political parties from 5 to 3%.