In parallel with the opposition’s ongoing protests on Rustaveli Avenue, in central Tbilisi, where demonstrators continue to contest the legitimacy of the recent election results, members of the ruling Georgian Dream party have gathered in the parliament for its first session of the newly elected legislature.
The session began at 12:00, with police officers stationed at the building’s side entrances to prevent protestors from blocking access. Some demonstrators have been camped outside the parliament since the night before, while others joined the protest from 9 a.m. on the day of the session. By 11:30 a.m., members of the Georgian Dream party had already registered inside the parliament building.
The session is attended solely by Georgian Dream members.
Opposition parties, including those that also crossed the election threshold, have refused to recognize the election results and consider the new parliament illegitimate.
The session was opened by the oldest member of parliament, Lado Kakhadze. According to Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, the agenda for the day will include:
A report on the election results by the Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Giorgi Kalandarishvili.
Certification of the credentials of newly elected members of parliament.
A break to allow the formation of parliamentary factions.
The nomination and election of the parliament’s chairman and deputy chairman.
Another break for the formation of parliamentary committees, followed by the election of committee chairmen.
The first session is not being convened by President Salome Zourabichvili, who has declared the session unconstitutional. She cited three reasons: the election results, which she described as “massively fraudulent” and thus undermining the election’s legitimacy; her refusal to convene the session; and the fact that the constitution does not grant this authority to anyone other than the president. She has also appealed to the Constitutional Court, which has yet to issue a ruling.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that three ministers would be replaced in the new government. Maka Botchorishvili will take over as Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Ilia Darchiashvili. Anri Okhanashvili will replace Rati Bregadze as Minister of Justice, and Davit Songulashvili will replace Otar Shamugia as Minister of Agriculture.
