Ruling party aims to inaugurate new president this year

The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, said on Monday that the legislature will determine the date for the presidential election tomorrow.

Papuashvili emphasized the importance of holding both the election and inauguration this year to ensure the newly elected President serves a full 5-year term, in line with the Constitution.

He said, “There are certain circumstances that are important to take into account. We must elect the President for a five-year term. Accordingly, in order for the President to be elected for five years, it is important that the elections and inauguration be held this year.”

The current President’s term ends in December. Following the 2017 constitutional amendments, the President will no longer be elected by popular vote. Instead, the new president will be chosen by a 300-member electoral college, comprising MPs and local and regional authorities.

Incumbent Salome Zourabichvili, has yet to announce her decision on re-run, amid tensions with the Georgian Drea authorities.