Constitution on the agenda

Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili spoke about the Georgian Constitution during the Ambassadorial on August 4, where he stated that the current version of the country’s main document should be refined. The Prime Minister stressed that the current constitution fails to balance power between the government, parliament and president. The PM stated that meeting the balance would be the main task of the Constitutional Commission created in Parliament.

The PM also stated that certain changes in the constitution with regard to balance have already been adopted. However, he said that the amendments are not sufficient.

The current constitution diminished the president’s power and increased the rights of the Prime Minister. Gharibashvili excludes the possibility for fitting the constitution to a political party. He states that the constitution should ensure the balanced and effective administration of the system in the country.

The Constitutional Commission created in parliament is drafting a new constitution that will remove the current shortcomings of the document. However, the Georgian Dream coalition does not have the constitutional majority in parliament that is essential for adopting the constitutional changes. Thus, the coalition will require the United National Movement’s support.

The new constitution will definitely suggest changes in the functions of the National Security Council, which is currently subordinate to President Giorgi Margvelshvili.

There appears to be a certain tension between the Prime Minister and the President. However, both of them deny this. The tension might have been caused due to the current constitution that resulted in decreasing the president’s power. Therefore, changes are required that will ensure balance between the country’s leaders.