Eka Beselia: first session cannot be convened without President amid election dispute

Eka Beselia, leader of the Justice party, has warned that convening the first session of Georgia’s new parliament without presidential approval would violate constitutional norms. Her remarks followed President Salome Zourabichvili’s lawsuit in the Constitutional Court, challenging the validity of the October elections.

“No one has the right to convene the first session, except the president. When the issue of the powers of the members of the parliament is appealed, the convening of the session will be unconstitutional,” Beselia said, emphasizing the implications of Zourabichvili’s lawsuit.

Beselia highlighted alleged irregularities in the election process, asserting: “We have all the arguments; there is much proof that the elections were rigged. This is substantiated in the president’s lawsuit.

Although the process has completely gone beyond constitutional standards, we use all legal means to protect the constitutional rights of citizens.”

She suggested that the Constitutional Court might act in accordance with external directives, delaying its ruling. “Now we probably expect a faster review, although the court will probably wait to see what the directive will be,” she stated.

Beselia underscored that parliamentary procedures reinforce her position. “It is also a fact that when the question of the authority of the members of the parliament is appealed—that is, the invalidity of the elections is under discussion—calling the session here will be unconstitutional. This is also written in the parliament’s regulations,” she said.

President Zourabichvili’s lawsuit alleges violations of the universality and secrecy of the elections, further intensifying disputes over the legitimacy of the new parliament.