Ombudswoman a “discomfort” for Georgia, not for ruling party – Irakli Kobakhidze

Current Public Defender Nino Lomjaria, whose term expires in December, is a “discomfort” for Georgia and state interests, not for the ruling Georgian Dream party, as she is “very much biased and politicized”, ruling party head Irakli Kobakhidze said on Thursday. 

“Lomjaria did not create any discomfort to us, Lomjaria caused discomfort to the Georgian state by being politicized and fully involved in the political process”, Kobakhidze.said, dismissing the reports by domestic watchdogs that the selection process of the new public advocate was “very intransparent”. 

In his comments, Kobakhidze said that initially non-governmental organizations would  evaluate all candidates for the public defender with a 40-point system, and the public would see that specific candidates received certain points.

“These points will be made public.  After that, candidates are nominated by political parties. There will also be candidates who are acceptable to specific political parties, factions, political groups. 

“When they confirm that someone is acceptable to non-governmental organizations as well as political parties, then a vote will take place.  There is simply no room for speculation.Therefore, everything related to the criticism of this procedure is empty speculation,” said Kobakhidze.

In his previous comments Kobakhidze accused Lomjaria of backing the “radical attempts” of the United National Movement opposition party.