Georgian opposition suggests government relinquish sovereignty, says Parliament speaker

Chairman of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili has said that some opposition members and non-governmental organizations in the country are proposing to the authorities to relinquish sovereignty.

According to him, they demand the introduction of vetting control when appointing judges, a move that contradicts not only the country's Constitution but also the spirit of independence, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

During the discussion of judicial reform, the opposition proposed the introduction of the so-called vetting-control system, which would involve the verification of judges' data by representatives of NGOs and embassies of partner countries.

"I think the opposition and several NGOs confirm the detrimental effect of over-reliance on foreign money. Today the opposition is actually proposing to give up sovereignty when it says that judges in Georgia should be appointed by foreigners. This contradicts our 30-year history of independence, our historical aspirations for sovereignty and independence," Papuashvili said.

According to the head of the Georgian legislature, NGOs are also very active in getting foreigners to participate in the appointment of judges.

As Papuashvili noted, donors' calls to involve NGOs with their funding in discussions are also understandable.

"When we engage them in discussions, these organisations propose to involve their donors in decision-making and I think they should make up their minds and tell us whether we should leave this country at all and it is up to NGOs and donors to run this country. Let them say whether this is their main goal," Papuashvili said.

Moreover, the head of the Georgian legislature pointed everyone to the Vienna Convention and emphasised that everyone should respect the internal policy and sovereignty of the country.

"Of course, a foreign country has nothing to do in staffing the Georgian justice system. This contradicts not only formally our Constitution, but also our spirit of independence. Is this why we fought for independence, so that 30 years later we should not decide the fate of the country and staff the court, but allow foreign countries to do so?! This is the level the opposition and NGOs have reached and I think they are very close to the red line beyond which there is complete disregard for the interests of Georgia" Papuashvili noted.

The issue of the appointment of judges is one of the most debated topics in Georgia. The opposition has repeatedly accused the authorities of "clan control" of the courts, claiming that the closed system of appointing judges allows "clans" to appoint judges they like.

The judges, described by the opposition as members of the clan, were placed under US sanctions in the spring of 2022. Visa restrictions were imposed on three sitting judges, Mikhail Chinchaladze, Levan Murusidze, Irakli Shengelia and one former judge, Valerian Tsertsvadze, for "involvement in significant corruption".

The US has not provided evidence of its allegations, despite numerous appeals by the Georgian authorities.