**Changes in Parliament’s Rules of Procedure Spark Concerns**
The Georgian Dream (GD) government is planning to adopt a new set of rules that will significantly alter the way parliament functions. The proposed changes aim to simplify the process of approving laws, but critics fear they will further erode the democratic principles of the country.
**Confidence Vote Process Altered**
One of the key changes involves the way parliamentary members express confidence in the government. Under the new proposal, this vote will be held directly in a plenary session, bypassing committee deliberations and party faction discussions. This shift marks a significant departure from the current process, which requires committee hearings and meetings between ministerial candidates and MPs.
The draft rules also outline exceptional matters that can be voted on directly without committee deliberation. These include votes of confidence in the government, the election of officials, formation of investigative commissions, presidential elections, impeachments, and other specified matters.
**Simplification of Lawmaking Process**
The proposed changes are likely to further simplify the rubber-stamping of laws by the GD parliament. Critics argue that this will lead to a more opaque and less accountable legislative process.
**Speaker‘s Annual Report Simplified**
Another key change involves the speaker of Parliament, who will no longer be required to present an annual action plan during their address. The current practice requires the speaker to deliver both a report on parliamentary activities and a forward-looking agenda in the first week of the spring session. The proposed rules argue that outlining the parliament’s activity plan is unjustified and redundant.
However, this change may also reduce transparency and accountability within Parliament. The new rules create a new obligation for committee chairs to submit written reports by January each year, which will serve as the basis for the Speaker’s annual report.
**Broader Controversies Surrounding GD Proposals**
The legislative initiatives are part of a broader wave of contentious proposals introduced by the ruling Georgian Dream party. These include a bill expanding the definition of treason, which critics fear could be used to target political opponents and dissenting voices. Additionally, the party has submitted a draft law seeking to ban “successor parties” to former UNM governments, aimed at restricting four opposition parties who passed the five percent threshold in the 2024 parliamentary elections.
These proposals have raised concerns about the erosion of democratic principles and the silencing of critical voices within Georgian society. The proposed changes to Parliament’s rules of procedure are likely to further exacerbate these issues.
**Experts Weigh In**
“The GD parliament is trying to consolidate its power by introducing these changes,” said a prominent civil society activist. “The simplification of lawmaking process will lead to more opaque and less accountable decision-making, which will undermine the principles of democracy.”
The proposed changes are set to be adopted soon, sparking concerns about the future of democratic governance in Georgia.
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