**Parliament’s New Rules of Procedure Spark Concern**
The Georgian parliament has introduced a new set of rules, which could significantly change the way lawmakers interact with government officials. According to Chairman Shalva Papuashvili, these changes will lead to an increase in the number of interpellations (questions) directed at various accountable persons, effectively rendering the Minister‘s Hour, a dedicated time for ministers to answer questions, meaningless.
**What’s Changing?**
Under the new rules, the number of interpellations will double. This means that government officials will face more frequent and intense scrutiny from parliamentarians. The Chairman of the Parliament emphasized that these changes are necessary to resolve ambiguities in procedures and improve the efficiency of parliamentary work.
**A Two-Year Development Process**
Papuashvili revealed that the new rules have been in development for two years, with input from various stakeholders, including the Committee on Procedural Issues in the Parliament and relevant departments. The current Rules of Procedures were adopted in 2018, and a comprehensive study was conducted to identify shortcomings and areas for improvement.
**Concerns Over Minister’s Hour**
The proposed changes have sparked concerns about the effectiveness of the Minister’s Hour. This dedicated time slot allows ministers to answer questions from parliamentarians, providing an opportunity for open discussion and scrutiny. However, with the increased number of interpellations, it seems that this forum may lose its purpose.
**Implementation Schedule**
Papuashvili announced that the new Rules of Procedures are scheduled to be adopted by the end of May, with a planned entry into force on July 1. This timeline suggests that parliamentarians and government officials will have limited time to adapt to these changes, which could lead to potential challenges in implementation.
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