Georgian Parliament Speaker announces major staff reorganization amid protests

Georgia’s parliament speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, has announced a major reorganization of the legislative body’s staff that includes significant changes to key departments within the parliament, including Human Resources, Legal Affairs, International Relations, and IT.

The restructuring, aimed at ensuring “systematic, effective governance” of the parliamentary staff, will be overseen by Kakha Okrojanashvili, the head of parliamentary staff, who has faced criticism for suspending press accreditations for journalists raising uncomfortable questions.

This move comes in the wake of growing protests across Georgia, where citizens have been calling for democratic reforms, new elections, and the release of individuals detained during protests. The demonstrations erupted after the ruling Georgian Dream party froze negotiations on the country’s European Union accession for the next four years, a decision that many believe contradicts Georgia’s constitutional commitment to European integration.

Since November 2024, pro-European rallies have persisted, with many accusing the government of stifling democratic processes and undermining Georgia’s path towards greater integration with the West.