**Venice Commission Urges Repeal of Electoral Code Changes**
The Venice Commission, an advisory body to the Council of Europe, has recommended that Georgia repeal amendments to its electoral code. The changes, made by the ruling Georgian Dream party in December 2024, increase the share of majoritarian seats in local elections.
**Concerns Over Majoritarian System**
In a statement published on March 19, the Venice Commission expressed concern that strengthening the majoritarian system could make it harder for opposition parties to win seats. The commission also warned that the changes do not promote political pluralism and may undermine the principle of equal suffrage.
**Calls for Reforms**
The Venice Commission urged Georgia to repeal the amendments and introduce new rules to regulate the delimitation of electoral constituencies. It also recommended that an impartial authority should oversee the redrawing of electoral boundaries after the next local elections.
**Concerns Over Electoral Code Changes**
The changes made by Georgian Dream increased the proportion of deputies elected under the majoritarian system in municipal representative bodies. They also raised the mandatory threshold in the proportional component to 4% from 3%.
**Local Elections Scheduled for October 2025**
Georgia’s local elections are scheduled for October 4, 2025. However, some opposition leaders have vowed not to participate in the elections due to concerns over their legitimacy.
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