Constitutional Commission Chair nominated

The Parliamentary opposition has nominated Avtandil Demetrashvili for the post of Chair of the Commission on constitutional changes. Demetrashvili, a Tbilisi State University Professor of Constitutional Law and former Chairman of the Constitutional Court, accepted the nomination on May 22, saying that it is his “duty to work on this issue, as a specialist in constitutional law.” Demetrashvili said that a “balanced” system should be established in the country, which will “prevent the usurpation of power by any of the branches of state.” He added that the country should have a strong President as an arbiter but also a strong Parliament.

Two candidates were considered, Demetrashvili and Joni Khetsuriani. Giorgi Targamadze from the Christian Democratic Party said Demetrashvili was chosen for his professionalism, level of public trust and experience, however he added that Khetsuriani is a very honourable person and he and other professionals will also be actively involved in the work of the Commission. MP Bachuki Kardava from the National Democratic Movement said that the main reason for choosing Demetrashvili as a candidate was that he has experience in the constitutional field and was the one who criticized the changes made to the Constitution in 2004.

Ruling party officials have hailed Demetrashvili’s candidacy. Parliament Speaker David Bakradze expressed a readiness to meet with him today to discuss the work of the Commission and praised the Parliamentary opposition’s readiness to help set it up.

The non-Parliamentary opposition has said that Demetrashvili should not have accepted the proposal. Kakha Kukava from the Conservative Party said that Demetrashvili, who is a “highly respected” specialist in constitutional law, has made a mistake and an “unconscientious” step by agreeing to take the post. “He knows himself that our Constitution is the product of an agreement between political forces. The current Constitution of Georgia was written not by professional lawyers, but the lawyers of the ruling National Movement,” Kukava told The Messenger on Sunday. “But now the situation is even worse. Several MPs who have fled the capital will write a draft constitution and the views of the thousands of demonstrators protesting in the streets will not be considered at all.”

Kukava said that it is a great “pity” that Demetrashvili is making statements about a “balanced constitutional arrangement”. “He knows very well that it is impossible to establish a balanced constitutional arrangement while Saakashvili is in power. He should not make unrealistic promises,” Kukava stated, adding that Demetrashvili should not try to create a “democratic facade” for President Saakashvili. “Giorgi Targamadze, Gia Tortladze and Jondi Baghaturia have failed to create such a facade for the President, Demetrashvili will fail as well, so he should avoid spoiling his reputation by making such statements,” the leader of the Conservative Party noted.

Demetrashvili is planning to start consultations with different political forces, including ruling party members and representatives of the non- Parliamentary opposition, today.