“I can clearly state my negative estimation to these changes and some of my colleagues also share my position. I hope, other colleagues will also realize the context and negative consequences of these changes”, - the Chair of the Party “For Justice”, Eka Beselia stated at the briefing.

She called on the Parliament to drop the changes as they are of a wider context than necessary deriving from the Constitution. “It is natural that the Rules of Procedure shall be brought in compliance with the Constitution but this draft concludes not only the changes that derive from the Constitution but the changes concerning other issues, namely, it is evident that these changes decline the role of the opposition in the Parliament and even further decline the role of the Independent MPs, which is already a problem under the current legislation”.

According to him, we have the Parliamentary Elections ahead and no one can foresee their positions as it is up to the people. “So, I would recommend the Majority when they try to further enhance the Majority and decline the opposition, think about the possible scenario when they can appear in the place of the opposition. I do not want to see the declined opposition in the Parliament as the strength of the Parliament and its democracy in any democratic country lies through the protection of the rights of the opposition and minority and the Parliament declining the opposition at the account of the Majority cannot serve as a model”.

The changes further reduce the floor time for independent MPs, which is not required under the Constitution. The changes also restrict the opportunity to set up the Factions for the MPs nominated on behalf of the initiative group or various parties. “The changes envisage the composition of the Faction by MPs elected by one party solely, which impedes to formation of the Factions or enlargement of the political groups in the Parliament, which is unfair and is not required under the Constitution. It also impedes to unification of the MPs elected by the initiative groups in a Faction, which forces them to remain as independent MPs while they can have a chance to form the political group. Such restrictions are the artificial barriers for MPs, preventing them from effectively using the Parliamentary podium”.

According to her, the draft annuls the quota of the representatives of Abkhazia and Ajara ARs. “The greatest political threat is hidden behind this annulment. Such unreasonable and politically immature issues shall not be solved at the technical level as this record has its political context and it is the underlining of the special status of Abkhazia and Ajara. Thus, it shall be taken carefully and I believe that the changes justified only with the savings are not serious. The expenses can be reduced by other means evading the politically sensitive issues”, - she noted.

“This is an unfair, non-proportional and unequal distribution of the Parliamentary mechanisms, which further declines the Parliament”, - she stated.