The News in Brief
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Parliament of Georgia Appoints Three Non-Judge Members to Supreme Council of Justice
The Parliament of Georgia conducted a voting process to select candidates for the five available non-judge positions in the Supreme Council of Justice, ultimately appointing three individuals as non-judge members of the council.
The support received by the chosen candidates remains uncertain due to the anonymous voting process. Additionally, two positions remain unfilled as a result of a faction of the opposition leaving the meeting hall in protest.
Tristan Benashvili, Giorgi Gzobava, and Zurab Guraspashvili secured their positions as non-judge members of the Supreme Council of Justice, each receiving over 90 votes. Tristan Benashvili obtained 93 votes, Giorgi Gzobava received 91 votes, and Zurab Guraspashvili acquired 93 votes.
For the election of a non-judge member of the Supreme Council of Justice, a minimum of 90 votes was required, necessitating a consensus between the majority and the opposition. The majority, which holds 84 votes, needed to secure additional support to meet the threshold.
Prior to the commencement of voting, 'Lelo' member Davit Usupashvili conveyed that the opposition's proposal was to engage in discussions with the majority and exchange their respective stances. However, this proposition was deemed unfeasible, and the voting process proceeded without any consultations taking place.
US State Department Raises Concerns over Restoration of Direct Flights between Russia and Georgia
At a briefing held in the White House in Washington, Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson at U.S. Department of State, was asked a question about the restoration of direct flights between Russia and Georgia.
Patel emphasized that the United States is carefully observing this process and will act accordingly if the need arises. He highlighted that, at present, the global community as a whole is distancing itself from Russia, making it an inappropriate time to seek closer ties with Moscow.
According to Vedant Patel, the existence of direct flights between Georgia and Russia would raise significant concerns for not only the United States and other Western nations but also for companies operating within Georgian airports.
"If there are direct flights between Georgia and Russia, it will be a matter of growing concern not only for the USA and other Western countries, but also for the companies that work in Georgian airports.
We have been very clear about our concerns about this, and we reiterate that we have taken steps to prevent Russian aircraft from entering our airspace, as have many Western countries. So we will continue to monitor the situation closely and take additional steps if necessary," Patel said.
Parliament of Georgia Appoints Three Non-Judge Members to Supreme Council of Justice
The support received by the chosen candidates remains uncertain due to the anonymous voting process. Additionally, two positions remain unfilled as a result of a faction of the opposition leaving the meeting hall in protest.
Tristan Benashvili, Giorgi Gzobava, and Zurab Guraspashvili secured their positions as non-judge members of the Supreme Council of Justice, each receiving over 90 votes. Tristan Benashvili obtained 93 votes, Giorgi Gzobava received 91 votes, and Zurab Guraspashvili acquired 93 votes.
For the election of a non-judge member of the Supreme Council of Justice, a minimum of 90 votes was required, necessitating a consensus between the majority and the opposition. The majority, which holds 84 votes, needed to secure additional support to meet the threshold.
Prior to the commencement of voting, 'Lelo' member Davit Usupashvili conveyed that the opposition's proposal was to engage in discussions with the majority and exchange their respective stances. However, this proposition was deemed unfeasible, and the voting process proceeded without any consultations taking place.
US State Department Raises Concerns over Restoration of Direct Flights between Russia and Georgia
Patel emphasized that the United States is carefully observing this process and will act accordingly if the need arises. He highlighted that, at present, the global community as a whole is distancing itself from Russia, making it an inappropriate time to seek closer ties with Moscow.
According to Vedant Patel, the existence of direct flights between Georgia and Russia would raise significant concerns for not only the United States and other Western nations but also for companies operating within Georgian airports.
"If there are direct flights between Georgia and Russia, it will be a matter of growing concern not only for the USA and other Western countries, but also for the companies that work in Georgian airports.
We have been very clear about our concerns about this, and we reiterate that we have taken steps to prevent Russian aircraft from entering our airspace, as have many Western countries. So we will continue to monitor the situation closely and take additional steps if necessary," Patel said.