Georgian Parliament

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A protester launching fireworks during a protest in Tbilisi. Photo via Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media

Georgia

From fireworks to the public sector: Georgian Dream introduces new legislation amid protests

by Mikheil Gvadzabia

•4 min read

Amidst fierce public protests triggered by the Georgian government’s decision to halt its EU membership bid, the ruling party announced a series of legislative changes. The planned changes include a ban on covering faces during protests and the regulation of fireworks, as well as the simplification of procedures for reorganising public services and recruiting new personnel for the police force. In some cases, the party itself hints that the changes are directly related to the protests, while

Protesters in a tent outside parliament. 5 October 2023. Image: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media

Alt Info

Georgian Dream pass new anti-protest amendments

by Shota Kincha

•4 min read

Georgia’s ruling party has passed controversial amendments to the country’s law on protest, which critics warn will severely restrict freedom of assembly. The amendments were proposed following claims by the country’s security service that international groups aimed to incite violent civil unrest in the country later this year. On Thursday, the parliamentary majority passed the bill in its third reading. The bill was approved with 74 votes in favour and 20 votes against. Hours before the fi

Freedom of Speech

New regulations introduced banning protests in Georgian parliament

by Shota Kincha

•3 min read

The Georgian Parliament has issued new regulations that would prohibit protesting inside parliament, regulate visits made by members of the public, and implement a vague dress code policy. As of 18 September, and unless permitted by the parliament’s administration, all visitors will be prohibited from bringing in speakers, megaphones, microphones, posters, placards, banners, or any ‘objects that can be used for demonstration’. The new regulations would also require visitors to inform parliam

Members of parliament present during the vote. Screengrab: Georgian Parliament/YouTube.

Democracy

Georgian Dream ‘fraudulently’ overturned electoral code veto

by Tata Shoshiashvili

•4 min read

The ruling Georgian Dream party appears to have fraudulently overturned a presidential veto on controversial amendments to Georgia’s electoral code, by falsely claiming that more MPs had voted than were present in the parliamentary session. The veto was overturned and amendments to Georgia’s electoral code were adopted in an extraordinary session of parliament held on 3 July, with the parliament reporting 78 votes in favour and 14 against. However, opposition Girchi MP Aleksandre Rakviashvil

19 April plenary session. Official photo

Georgia’s ‘Clan of Judges’

Georgian Dream stalls parliament’s investigation of US-sanctioned judges

by Shota Kincha

•5 min read

The Georgian Dream parliamentary majority has deliberately failed quorum to prevent opposition MPs from setting up a commission to investigate senior Georgian judges sanctioned by the United States. The Wednesday session would have seen 50 opposition MPs join forces to form a temporary fact-finding commission to investigate allegations of corruption against four judges sanctioned by Washington. However, the session fell 16 MPs short of meeting quorum after the parliamentary majority delibera

Georgia

Georgian Dream pushes ahead with invasive new surveillance bill

by Shota Kincha

•2 min read

Members of Georgia’s ruling party have tabled proposals to expand the powers of law enforcement agencies and the security services to indefinitely surveil suspects in criminal cases. Georgian Dream MPs tabled a draft proposal amid outcry from watchdog groups, who say the amendments are unnecessary and invasive. On Thursday, 11 civil rights groups, including Transparency International Georgia, the Social Justice Centre, and the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, released a joint statement c

The parliament of Georgia. Photo: Shota Kincha/OC Media.

Charles Michel Agreement

Saakashvili’s UNM end intermittent boycott of parliament

by Shota Kincha

•3 min read

Georgia’s United National Movement (UNM) have announced they are ending their on-again, off-again boycott of parliament, citing the release of party leader and former president Mikheil Saakashvili as their priority. Following weeks of internal debates and almost 14 months after 2020’s parliamentary elections, leading UNM member Khatia Dekanoidze announced the decision on Monday. Dekanoidze confirmed rumours that there was disagreement within the UNM, the largest opposition party in Georgia,