Georgian political analysts treat Venice Commission's opinion as a call for consensus

Georgia is on the right way, but changes are necessary to ensure political pluralism. This was announced in the preliminary opinion of the Venice Commission on the Georgian Constitution Draft, adopted on June 16 and released on June 19.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on April 22, by majority of votes, the State Constitutional Commission adopted the Draft Constitution of Georgia, according to which the president of the country would be elected by the election board. The Constitutional Commission holds discussions on the Constitution in various cities of Georgia.

The opinion adopted by the Venice Commission announces that the proposed reform in Georgia deserves a positive assessment, since it completes the evolution of the country's political system towards the parliamentary system and strengthens the powers of the Parliament.

At this stage, according to the Venice Commission, the positive step forward is to some extent limited by three mechanisms: introduction of a 5-percent barrier at elections to the legislative agencies, distribution of undistributed votes below the 5-percent threshold to a winner, and cancellation of election coalitions (party blocs).

Georgian political analysts note that the main recommendation of the Venice Commission is in reaching a consensus on the provisions of the new Constitution for all parts of Georgian society.

"This is the main message that should be heard. The recommendations are not so dramatic, as opponents of the authorities expected. The Venice Commission tried to smooth the corners," political analyst Zaal Andjaparidze told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.