Georgian Parliament to Hold First Session Despite Legitimacy Concerns
The Georgian Parliament is set to confirm its power despite concerns over its legitimacy. President Salome Zurabishvili has challenged the constitutionality of the parliament’s convening in the Constitutional Court.
President Zurabishvili has written on social media that the first session would be unconstitutional. She gave three reasons why she believes the parliament’s convening is not legitimate: massive electoral fraud, her refusal to convene the session, and an ongoing appeal to the Constitutional Court.
Despite these concerns, the Parliament is proceeding with its first session. Only MPs from the ruling party will attend, as opposition forces have refused to enter due to allegations of election rigging. The ruling party has also not invited ambassadors to the meeting.
Citizens are protesting on Rustaveli Avenue against the convening of the parliament. Police are present in large numbers, and heavy police units are deployed near the legislative building.
The first session is scheduled to begin at noon. President Zurabishvili’s concerns have been echoed by constitutional lawyer Vakhushti Menabde, who says that any decisions taken by the Parliament during this time will be illegal.
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