Georgia to exclude foreign ambassadors from first parliamentary session

Georgia has announced that foreign ambassadors will not be invited to the first session of the new parliament, scheduled for November 25.

Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, made this statement to reporters, explaining that the government and representatives of constitutional bodies have been invited to attend the session, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Papuashvili emphasized that the participation of foreign ambassadors in this inaugural event would be avoided to minimize external influence, stating, "Elections and the first sitting of the parliament are our domestic issue."

He also pointed out that while past practices included inviting foreign ambassadors to such sessions, this year’s decision aligns with the desire to maintain the domestic nature of the event.

The Speaker further clarified that the first session of the Georgian Parliament is a significant and solemn occasion meant to be celebrated by the citizens of the country. Thus, the attendance of foreign diplomats at the event will be optional, reflecting the importance of keeping the ceremony focused on Georgian affairs.

In previous years, it had become customary for foreign ambassadors to attend the first parliamentary session as part of the country’s diplomatic practices. However, this decision marks a shift in approach to the parliamentary proceedings.

The parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on October 26. According to the Central Election Commission, the ruling "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia" party received 53.93 per cent of the votes, winning the right to form the government independently. Four opposition parties surpassed the five per cent threshold: "Coalition for Change" with 11 per cent, "United National Movement" with 10.16 per cent, "Strong Georgia" with 8.8 per cent and "Gakharia for Georgia" with 7.76 per cent. All opposition parties that entered Parliament have refused to recognise the election results, deeming them to be fraudulent.

Georgian incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili has also rejected the election outcomes. President Zourabichvili said that the data from the Central Election Commission has been manipulated, and the opposition actually received more votes in total than "Georgian Dream" party thereby securing a majority in the Parliament.

By Vafa Guliyeva