Georgian Parliament adopts controversial electoral changes after agents’ law

The Parliament of Georgia on Thursday approved controversial changes to the Election Code with 80 votes in favor, unanimously adopting the amendments in the third reading. According to the changes, if resolutions and personnel changes in the Central Election Commission (CEC) do not receive support from two-thirds of the members, they can be adopted by a simple majority in a re-vote.

The vote came after the legislative body overrode the controversial foreign influence bill amid mass protests in the country, despite warning of individual sanctions and alleged hindrance on the country’s EU path. 

When these changes come into force, the CEC will be able to pass resolutions without needing votes from the opposition, a shift from previous requirements.

Additionally, the same bill abolishes the CEC advisory group, an entity created as part of the Charles Michel agreement after the 2020 elections This group was established within ten days of appointing elections and included representatives from the public defender and local and international monitoring organizations.

Parliamentary elections in Georgia are scheduled for October 26, MPs will be elected solely through a proportional system, with parliamentary seats allocated to political parties that surpass five percent threshold.