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Parliament of Georgia
Parliament of Georgia
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The Parliament of Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს პარლამენტი, romanized: sakartvelos p'arlament'i) is the supreme national legislature of Georgia. It is a unicameral parliament, currently consisting of 150 members elected through fully proportional election. The current convocation of the Georgian Parliament is 11th.

Key Information

All members of the Parliament are elected for four years on the basis of universal suffrage. The Constitution of Georgia grants the Parliament of Georgia a legislative power, which is partially devolved to the legislatures of the autonomous republics of Adjara and Abkhazia.

History

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The idea of limiting royal power and creating a parliamentary-type body of government was conceived among the aristocrats and citizens in the 12th century Kingdom of Georgia, during the reign of Queen Tamar, the first Georgian female monarch.[citation needed]

In the view of Queen Tamar's oppositionists and their leader, Qutlu Arslan, the first Georgian Parliament was to be formed of two "Chambers": a) Darbazi – or assembly of aristocrats and influential citizens who would meet from time to time to take decisions on the processes occurring in the country, the implementation of these decisions devolving on the monarch b) Karavi – a body in permanent session between the meetings of the Darbazi. The confrontation ended in the victory of the supporters of royal power. Qutlu Arslan was arrested on the Queen's order.[citation needed] However, Queen Tamar did during her reign have a chamber of advisors, who could propose laws for the monarch however did not have a final say about laws and how the country should be governed.

Subsequently, it was only in 1906 that the Georgians were afforded the opportunity of sending their representatives to a parliamentary body of government, to the Second State Duma (from 1801 Georgia had been incorporated in the Russian Empire). Georgian deputies to the Duma were Noe Zhordania (later the Premier of independent Georgia in 1918–21), Ilia Chavchavadze (founder of the Georgian National Movement), Irakli Tsereteli (leader of the Social-Democratic Faction in the Second Duma, later Minister of Internal Affairs of Russia's Provisional Government), Karlo Chkheidze (leader of the Menshevik Faction in the Fourth State Duma, Chairman of the first convocation of the Central Executive Committee of the All-Russian Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies in 1917, and Chairman of the Transcaucasian Seim in 1918), and others.

Members of the National Council of Georgia, after declaring independence of Georgia, Tbilisi 26 May 1918

In 1918 the first Georgian National Parliament was established in the newly independent Democratic Republic of Georgia. In 1921 the Parliament adopted the first Georgian Constitution. However, shortly after the adoption of the Constitution, Georgia was occupied by the Bolshevik Red Army. This was followed by a 69-year-long absence of independent parliamentary government in Georgian history. The construction of the current main parliament building, which was dedicated to the Supreme Soviet (Council) of the Georgian SSR, started in 1938 and completed in 1953, when Georgia was a part of the Soviet Union. It was designed by architects Viktor Kokorin and Giorgi Lezhava.[5]

The first multiparty elections in the Georgian SSR were held on 28 October 1990. The elected members later proclaimed the independence of Georgia. On 26 May 1991 Georgia's population elected the Chairman of the Supreme Council Zviad Gamsakhurdia as President of the country.

The tension between the ruling and opposition parties gradually intensified, which in 1991-92 developed into an armed conflict. The President left the country, the Supreme Council ceased to function and power was taken over by the Military Council.

In 1992, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Soviet Union Eduard Shevardnadze returned to Georgia, assuming Chairmanship of the Military Council which was reconstituted into a State Security Council. The State Council restored Georgia's Constitution of 1921, announcing 4 August 1992 as the day of parliamentary elections.

A session hall of the Parliament of Georgia in Kutaisi

On 24 August 1995, the newly elected Parliament adopted a new Constitution. Georgia now has a semi-presidential system with a unicameral parliament.[6] In 2011 Mikheil Saakashvili, the president of Georgia, signed a constitutional amendment which decreed that the seat of the parliament shall be the western city of Kutaisi.[7]

On 26 May 2012, Saakashvili inaugurated the new Parliament building in Kutaisi. This was done in an effort to decentralize power and shift some political control closer to the breakaway region of Abkhazia, although it has been criticized as marginalizing the legislature, and also for the demolition of a Soviet war memorial at the new building's location.[8]

Starting from 1 January 2019, Tbilisi is once again the sole seat of the Parliament and all operations and meetings now take place in the capital, similar to the situation that existed prior to the 2012 move to Kutaisi.[9]

Status and structure

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Main facade of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi

The Parliament of Georgia is the country's supreme representative body which effects legislative authority, determines the main directions of the country's home and foreign policy, controls the activity of the Government within limits defined by the Constitution and exercises other rights.[10]

The Parliament of Georgia is a unicameral legislature. The Constitution envisages, following the full restoration of Georgia's jurisdiction throughout the entire territory of Georgia (including breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia, designated by Georgia as Russian-occupied territories), creation of a bicameral parliament: the Council of the Republic and the Senate. The Council is to be composed of members elected through a proportional system; members of the Senate are to be elected from the autonomous republics of Abkhazia, Adjara, and other territorial units of Georgia, and five members appointed by the President of Georgia.[11]

The Parliament is composed of 150 members (a reduction from a total of 235 in 1995), elected for a term of four years through a mixed system: 77 are proportional representatives and 73 are elected through single-member district plurality system, representing their constituencies. According to the 2017 constitutional amendments, the Parliament will make a transition to fully proportional representation in 2024.[12]

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Election

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The Parliament of Georgia is elected on the basis of universal, free, equal and direct suffrage, by secret ballot. Scheduled parliamentary elections are held on the last Saturday of October of the calendar year in which the term of Parliament expires. In case of the dissolution of the Parliament, elections are called no earlier than the 45th day and no later than the 60th day after the legislature is dissolved. If the election date coincides with a state of emergency or martial law, elections are held no earlier than the 45th day and no later than the 60th day after the state of emergency or martial law has been revoked.[13]

The 2017 amendment increased the membership candidacy age from 21 to 25.[12] Any citizen of Georgia with the electoral right and who has lived in Georgia for at least 10 years qualifies for membership of the Parliament. A person sentenced to prison cannot be elected as a member of Parliament.[14] A political party whose member is an incumbent member of the Parliament or is supported by the signatures of at least 25,000 voters can take part in the election.[15] For the 2020 election, the threshold for entering the Parliament will be reduced to 3% and parties will be allowed to form electoral blocs. However, beginning in 2024, the threshold will return to 5% and electoral blocs will no longer be allowed.[12]

Sessions and sittings

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The first meeting of the newly elected Parliament is held no later than the 10th day after the election results have been officially announced. The first meeting of Parliament is called by the President of Georgia.[16] The Parliament meets in its official capacity for a regular session twice a year, from September to December and from February to June. In between the sessions, the President of Georgia can convene an extraordinary session of the Parliament at the request of the Chairperson of Parliament, at least one fourth of members of Parliament or the Government.[17]

Lawmaking

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The Government, a Member of Parliament, a parliamentary faction, a parliamentary committee, the supreme representative bodies of the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Adjara, and no less than 25,000 voters have the right of to initiate a bill. A law is adopted if it is supported by a majority of the members of Parliament present but at least 1/3 of the total number of the members of Parliament.[18] A law passed by Parliament is to be submitted to the President of Georgia within 10 days. The President can sign and promulgate the law or return it to the Parliament with justified remarks within 2 weeks. If the remarks are adopted, the final version of the law is submitted to the President within 5 days, and the latter must sign and promulgate the law within 5 days. If the President's remarks are rejected, the initial version of the law is put to a vote in the Parliament and, if adopted, submitted to the President within 3 days for signature and promulgation. If the President fails to promulgate the law, then the Chairperson of Parliament does this after the respective deadline expires.[19]

Other powers

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The Parliament has the power to ratify, denounce and annul international treaties by a majority of the total number of its members.[20] They can also impeach the President, a member of the Government, a judge of the Supreme Court, a General Prosecutor, a General Auditor, or a member of the Board of the National Bank.[21] The Parliament can be dissolved by the President of Georgia if the legislature fails to approve the incoming Government in the established time-frame.[22]

Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia

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Main article: Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia

The Parliament of Georgia elects the Chairperson for its term by a majority of the total number of its members by secret ballot. The Chairperson of Parliament presides over the work of Parliament, ensures the free expression of opinion, and signs the acts adopted by Parliament.[23]

Headquarters

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See also: Georgian Parliament Building (Tbilisi) and Georgian Parliament Building (Kutaisi)

The Parliament of Georgia is headquartered in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. From 2012 to 2018, the regular parliamentary sessions were held in a new building specially constructed for this purpose in Kutaisi, then the second largest city of Georgia, 231 kilometres (144 mi) west of Tbilisi. The 2017 amendment entered into force in December 2018, containing no reference to Kutaisi as the seat of the Parliament, meaning that the Parliament will fully return to the capital in January 2019.[12][24]

Notes

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References

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Parliament of Georgia

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The Parliament of Georgia (Georgian: საქართველოს პარლამენტი, romanized: Sakartvelos Parlamenti) is the unicameral supreme representative and legislative body of the Republic of Georgia, consisting of 150 members elected by for four-year terms. It exercises legislative authority, determines the primary directions of domestic and , approves the state budget and programs, ratifies international treaties, and holds oversight over executive actions as outlined in the . Established in its modern form following Georgia's independence from the in 1991, the parliament traces its institutional roots to the National Council formed in 1918 during the brief , which adopted the Act of Independence before Soviet annexation in 1921. The body relocated temporarily to in 2012 to decentralize power but returned to its historic seat in by 2019, where it convenes in the Parliament Building on . The 's operations have been marked by significant political transitions, including the of 2003 that shifted power dynamics and led to reforms enhancing its role, as well as ongoing tensions over and policy alignments. The 11th , seated after the October 2024 elections, saw the –Democratic Georgia coalition secure a , though the results faced domestic opposition challenges and international scrutiny regarding procedural fairness, with some mandates initially disputed before partial recognition in 2025. Chaired by since 2021, the body continues to navigate Georgia's aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration amid debates over sovereignty-protecting legislation, such as transparency requirements for foreign-funded organizations, which sparked protests in 2024.

History

Origins and Soviet Era

The origins of parliamentary institutions in modern Georgia trace to the establishment of the following the collapse of the . On May 26, 1918, the National Council of Georgia, elected by the on November 22, 1917, proclaimed the of Georgia as a . The National Council served as the initial supreme legislative body, transitioning into a after additional members were added in October 1918. Elections for the , functioning as the parliament, occurred on February 14–16, 1919, under a fully system with no , enabling broad participation among 15 parties across 13 districts and 17 cities. The Social Democratic Party secured the largest share, forming a noted for its pluralistic approach. On February 21, 1921, the Assembly adopted a establishing a , , abolition of the death penalty, and freedoms of speech and belief, though its implementation was curtailed by external invasion. Soviet forces invaded on February 25, 1921, overthrowing the republic and establishing the (Georgian SSR), which was incorporated into the Transcaucasian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic within the USSR by December 30, 1922. In 1936, following the USSR , Georgia became a direct union republic with its own as the nominal legislative authority, though real power resided with the under centralized control. The operated within the framework of Soviet constitutions, including Georgia's 1922 version subordinated to union law, conducting sessions that ratified directives rather than independently legislating. This structure persisted until the USSR's dissolution in 1991, suppressing autonomous parliamentary functions in favor of one-party rule.

Post-Independence Formation (1991–1995)

Following the restoration of independence on April 9, 1991, declared by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia based on a referendum where over 99% of voters supported from the , the Supreme Council served as the unicameral legislature. , who had been elected Chairman of the Supreme Council in the October 1990 elections, retained that role initially while also winning the on May 26, 1991, with 86.5% of the vote in Georgia's first direct presidential election. The Supreme Council, comprising 250 deputies elected in 1990 under Soviet-era rules, faced immediate internal divisions, with Gamsakhurdia's Round Table–Free Georgia bloc holding a majority but clashing with opposition factions over governance and ethnic policies. Tensions escalated amid economic collapse, civil unrest, and conflicts in , leading to Gamsakhurdia's authoritarian measures, including the dissolution of opposition groups and media restrictions. On January 6, 1992, a military coup backed by forces ousted Gamsakhurdia, who fled to ; the Military Council, a provisional 19-member body of coup leaders including Tengiz Sigua and , assumed executive power until March 10, 1992, when it transitioned to the State Council as the interim legislature. , former Soviet Foreign Minister, was invited to lead the State Council as Chairman on March 11, 1992, stabilizing the body amid ongoing violence, including the January–May 1992 Tbilisi war that killed hundreds. Parliamentary and head-of-state elections on October 11, 1992, produced a new 235-member unicameral parliament dominated by Shevardnadze's National Salvation Front allies, with the Peace Bloc securing the largest share of seats; Shevardnadze was unanimously elected Chairman, effectively serving as without a formal . This parliament operated under ad hoc rules derived partly from the 1921 constitution, focusing on ceasefires in separatist regions and economic stabilization, though turnout was low at around 50% amid voter apathy and fraud allegations. By 1995, persistent instability prompted a constitutional on August 24, approving a new framework that would replace the parliament with a 235-seat body elected via majoritarian and proportional systems, formalized after November elections.

Constitutional Framework and Reforms (1995–2003)

The Constitution of Georgia, adopted by the Supreme Council on August 24, 1995, following a , established a with a unicameral as the supreme representative and legislative body. This framework replaced the transitional Supreme Council formed after in 1991, formalizing 's role in exercising legislative power, determining the main directions of domestic and foreign policy, and overseeing activities through mechanisms such as no-confidence votes and approval. The President, elected separately for a five-year term, retained significant influence, including the nomination of the for parliamentary approval and the ability to dissolve under specific conditions like a rejected or failed confidence vote. Parliament's composition was set at 235 members serving four-year terms: 150 elected via in a nationwide multi-member based on lists (requiring a minimum 5% threshold for representation), and 85 via majoritarian elections in single-member constituencies. Elections occurred on the last Saturday of October in even years, with for citizens aged 18 and older; candidates needed to be at least 25 years old, Georgian citizens, and residents for no less than 10 years. Key powers included adopting ordinary and organic laws (requiring simple or two-thirds majorities, respectively), ratifying international treaties, declaring war or emergencies, and confirming judicial appointments. Members enjoyed and a free mandate, prohibiting recall by constituents or parties. During Eduard Shevardnadze's presidency (1995–2003), the parliamentary framework saw limited structural reforms, with the persisting through elections in 1995, 1999, and 2003. Constitutional amendments, such as those in 1999 modifying provisions on presidential-parliamentary relations (e.g., Article 50.2), aimed to balance executive dominance amid political instability and regional conflicts but did not alter Parliament's core composition or election mechanics. These changes occurred against a backdrop of Citizens' Union of Georgia dominance in Parliament, reflecting Shevardnadze's influence, though criticisms of electoral irregularities emerged by 2003. The system's majoritarian elements favored regional power brokers, contributing to fragmented representation and executive-parliamentary tensions.

Post-Rose Revolution Developments (2004–2012)

Following the of November 2003, which ousted President amid allegations of , Georgia held repeat parliamentary elections on March 28, 2004. These elections, observed by the OSCE as demonstrating commendable progress over prior polls despite some irregularities, resulted in a for the National Movement-Democrats alliance supporting President , who had assumed office in January 2004. The unicameral parliament, comprising 150 seats under a mixed majoritarian-proportional system, enabled the ruling coalition to enact rapid reforms aimed at combating , liberalizing the economy, and strengthening state institutions. Key legislative actions included downsizing bloated bureaucracies, reforming the police force by dismissing thousands of officers and introducing merit-based recruitment, and passing laws to simplify business registration and property rights, which contributed to Georgia's improved rankings in global ease-of-doing-business indices during this era. The parliament's dominance by Saakashvili's United National Movement (UNM) facilitated executive-led initiatives but drew criticism for marginalizing opposition voices and consolidating power. In response to widespread protests in November 2007 against perceived authoritarianism, Saakashvili called snap presidential elections in January 2008, followed by parliamentary polls on May 21, 2008. The UNM secured 119 of 150 seats with 59.18% of the proportional vote, amid a turnout of 53.39%, though international observers from the OSCE noted that while the process met most commitments, significant shortcomings persisted, including vote-buying and misuse of administrative resources. Opposition parties, fragmented and numbering over 20 contenders, won only 31 seats collectively, with the largest shares going to the Joint Opposition (17 seats) and the Labor Party (6 seats); several groups later boycotted the inaugural session, protesting irregularities. Legislative output continued to focus on judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, and NATO/EU integration aspirations, but reports highlighted selective justice and media restrictions under the ruling majority. Constitutional reforms marked a pivotal development, reflecting tensions between executive efficiency and checks on power. In 2010, the UNM-controlled approved amendments on that curtailed presidential authority—transferring cabinet appointment, policy direction, and to the —while maintaining a strong presidency in defense and matters; these changes were designed to activate only after Saakashvili's second term ended in 2013, ostensibly transitioning Georgia toward a more aligned with European models. Saakashvili defended the reforms as necessary for balanced governance, rejecting opposition demands for ratification by a newly elected body, and consulted the for input. Critics, including opposition factions, argued the alterations enabled Saakashvili to pivot to , circumventing term limits and entrenching personal rule, amid broader concerns over democratic backsliding evidenced by ratings of "partly free" status. By 2012, as parliamentary elections approached, the legislature had overseen economic recovery post-2008 but faced accusations of enabling executive overreach, setting the stage for the UNM's defeat to the coalition.

Georgian Dream Era and Recent Changes (2012–2025)

The Georgian Dream coalition, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, won the parliamentary elections on October 1, 2012, securing 85 of 150 seats and forming Georgia's first post-independence government through peaceful transfer of power from the United National Movement. In the 2016 elections held on October 8 and 30, Georgian Dream expanded to a constitutional supermajority of 115 seats, enabling unilateral passage of major reforms without opposition input. This dominance shifted parliamentary dynamics toward consolidated executive control under the prime minister, diminishing checks from the presidency and opposition. Leveraging its supermajority, the adopted constitutional amendments on September 26, 2017, transitioning Georgia to a full by reducing the presidency to a ceremonial role elected by an rather than popular vote, with implementation phased through 2024. Additional changes on March 22, 2018, enshrined for parliamentary elections starting in 2024 and reinforced the prime minister's authority over and . In September 2018, parliament voted to relocate permanent sessions from —where they had been held since 2012 to symbolize —back to effective January 1, 2019, citing logistical inefficiencies and restoring the historic seat in the capital. These reforms, criticized by opposition as power entrenchment, aligned legislative functions more closely with Georgian Dream's governance model. The 2020 elections on October 31 and November 21 yielded 90 seats amid opposition allegations of ballot stuffing and voter intimidation, prompting street protests and a resolution questioning legitimacy, though international observers like OSCE noted procedural compliance but an uneven playing field favoring incumbents. retained control, passing legislation like the 2024 foreign influence transparency law—modeled on U.S. FARA but applied to NGOs—which drew and U.S. sanctions for stifling civil society. In the October 26, 2024, fully proportional elections, claimed 53.97% of votes, securing approximately 89 seats per official tallies, but opposition parties rejected results citing widespread irregularities in single-mandate districts and demanded re-runs, leading to mass protests and President Salome Zourabichvili's refusal to convene the body. The self-convened on , 2024, amid clashes, boycotts by over 50 opposition MPs, and OSCE reports of undermining fairness. By mid-2025, the legislature under advanced repressive measures, including bills restricting opposition activities and media, exacerbating a constitutional standoff with the presidency and prompting suspension of accession talks, while the party defended actions as safeguarding against foreign interference.

Electoral System

Voting Mechanism and Proportional Representation

The Parliament of Georgia employs a list system for electing its 150 members, with voters casting a single for a party list in a nationwide constituency. This framework allocates seats proportionally according to the valid votes received by each party list among qualifying entities. To qualify for seat allocation, a party must obtain at least 5 percent of the total valid votes cast nationwide; electoral blocs face a higher threshold of 7 percent, though no blocs qualified in the elections. Seats are then distributed to qualifying parties in proportion to their vote shares, using a method that ensures representation reflects electoral support while adhering to the fixed total of 150 unicameral seats. Parties submit closed lists of candidates prior to the election, ranked by internal preference, with seats filled sequentially from the top once quotas are met. This fully proportional model took effect for the October 26, , elections following constitutional amendments passed in June 2020, which transitioned from the prior —combining 120 single-mandate districts with 30 compensatory proportional seats used in 2020—to eliminate majoritarian elements entirely. The reform aimed to enhance proportionality and reduce regional disparities in representation, though implementation in incorporated electronic voter verification and ballot scanning at approximately 90 percent of polling stations to streamline counting. Elections occur every four years, with eligible voters aged 18 and older participating, excluding certain incarcerated individuals and those under guardianship.

Election Administration and Oversight

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia serves as the supreme authority for administering parliamentary elections, coordinating a centralized that includes election commissions and precinct-level bodies responsible for voter verification, ballot handling, and tabulation. Established under the 1990 electoral framework and governed by the Election Code of Georgia, the CEC manages key processes such as candidate registration, voter list compilation, and the deployment of electronic devices for identity checks, as implemented nationwide in the elections where such technology was used in nearly all polling stations. The CEC comprises 17 members, including a chairperson, with 8 non-partisan roles filled through open competitions outlined in parliamentary rules to promote professional expertise, while the remaining 9 seats are allocated proportionally to based on their parliamentary representation, fostering multipartisan involvement but prompting criticisms of potential dominance in . Appointments for non-partisan members require parliamentary approval following public selection processes, as amended in the electoral code in 2023, though observers have noted risks to institutional from political pressures. Oversight occurs through a combination of internal CEC procedures for handling complaints, via domestic courts—including the for appeals on results and irregularities—and external monitoring by international bodies like the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which assesses adherence to standards such as transparency and equal conditions. Domestic NGOs, such as the International Society for Fair Elections and (ISFED), supplement this by conducting parallel vote counts and long-term observation, as in 2024 when they documented discrepancies alongside tools for real-time reporting. In practice, these mechanisms faced strain during the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections, where ODIHR reported an uneven playing field marked by voter pressure and administrative resource misuse, while IRI observers deemed the process fundamentally flawed due to and tabulation issues, though courts rejected major opposition challenges to the CEC-certified outcomes.

Key Elections and Outcomes (Focus on 2020 and 2024)

The parliamentary elections of 31 October 2020 were conducted under a mixed system, with 120 seats allocated proportionally and 30 via single-mandate districts, following electoral reforms aimed at increasing proportionality. The ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia coalition received 48.66% of the proportional vote, securing 59 proportional seats and all 30 majoritarian seats, for a total of 89 seats in the 150-member parliament. The main opposition United National Movement obtained 27.12% of the proportional vote, translating to 36 seats, while smaller parties like European Georgia and Alliance of Patriots each gained 5 seats. Voter turnout was 51.16%, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Opposition parties rejected the results, alleging systemic fraud including ballot stuffing and misuse of administrative resources, prompting mass protests in and a by most opposition MPs of the convened . The Central Election Commission (CEC) confirmed the outcomes after recounts in contested districts, with international observers from the OSCE/ODIHR describing the elections as competitive and efficiently administered despite challenges, but noting credible indications of vote-buying and biased media coverage favoring the incumbents. An EU-brokered agreement in March 2021 led to judicial reforms and new elections if thresholds were unmet, but retained power, with opposition claims of irregularities unsubstantiated in court challenges. The 26 October 2024 elections retained the mixed system but with heightened thresholds (4% for parties) and requirements for gender quotas. Official CEC results, after a partial recount of 12% of polling stations covering 14% of votes, showed receiving 53.97% of the proportional vote, securing approximately 76 proportional seats and 13 majoritarian seats for a total of 89 seats, again forming a simple majority. No opposition party surpassed the threshold, leaving all proportional seats to , with independents and minor wins filling the rest; turnout reached 53.73%. The results sparked immediate opposition allegations of , including video evidence of apparent ballot stuffing and discrepancies between exit polls (showing opposition leads) and official tallies, leading to sustained protests involving tens of thousands in demanding a rerun under international oversight. President Salome Zourabichvili described the vote as "rigged" and refused to recognize the new , while the OSCE/ODIHR mission reported an uneven playing field, pressure on voters, and misuse of public funds, though acknowledging efficient administration. Georgian Dream dismissed claims as baseless, attributing discrepancies to pre-election polls biased toward pro-Western opposition, with CEC audits upholding the results despite calls for annulment citing irregularities. Protests continued into 2025, marked by clashes and opposition boycotts, but the government certified the convocation on 29 October 2024.
Election YearGeorgian Dream SeatsMain Opposition SeatsVoter TurnoutKey Controversies
202089 (59 proportional + 30 majoritarian)36 (UNM proportional)51.16%Fraud allegations, protests, opposition boycott; OSCE noted vote-buying.
202489 (~76 proportional + 13 majoritarian)0 (no party over threshold)53.73%Exit poll discrepancies, fraud videos, mass protests; OSCE cited uneven field.

Composition and Organization

Membership and Term Limits

The Parliament of Georgia is a unicameral comprising 150 members, elected through a system in a single nationwide multi-mandate . Members serve four-year terms, with parliamentary elections held on the last Saturday of October in the final year of the incumbent parliament's term. Eligibility for membership requires Georgian citizenship, a minimum age of 25 years, in Georgia for at least the preceding 10 years, and possession of active electoral ; individuals sentenced to or under certain restrictions are ineligible. The grants members a free mandate, independent of electoral bodies or parties, though party affiliation influences composition. No constitutional term limits exist, permitting unlimited re-election subject to electoral success. A member's term may end prematurely due to , , for a , or loss of eligibility, triggering by-elections if vacancies exceed a threshold defined by . Following the October 2024 elections, political disputes led to the of 49 opposition mandates in February 2025, reducing active membership to 101, though the statutory size remains 150.

Political Party Representation

The Parliament of Georgia's current composition, following the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections, features 150 seats distributed proportionally based on nationwide party-list votes, with a 5% electoral threshold required for representation. Official results from the Central Election Commission allocated seats as follows:
Party/CoalitionSeats
Georgian Dream89
Coalition for Change19
Unity – United National Movement16
Strong Georgia (Lelo for Georgia)14
For Georgia12
Georgian Dream, the incumbent ruling party since 2012, retained a simple majority with 89 seats, enabling it to form the government without coalition partners. The opposition landscape includes pro-Western alliances like Unity-UNM, led by the United National Movement, and Coalition for Change, comprising parties such as Girchi and Droa emphasizing libertarian and anti-corruption platforms. Strong Georgia represents centrist forces, while For Georgia, headed by former Prime Minister Gigi Ugulava's ally Giorgi Gakharia, positions itself as a moderate alternative. Despite the official allocation, the elections faced significant , with opposition parties alleging widespread , including ballot stuffing and voter intimidation, supported by discrepancies between exit polls favoring the opposition and final tallies. Most opposition groups, except , boycotted the parliament, renouncing their mandates and refusing to participate, which reduced active opposition presence to 's 12 members. International observers from the OSCE/ODIHR mission highlighted a "lack of " in the process, extensive voter tracking, and misuse of administrative resources, contributing to eroded . As of September 2025, the parliament recognized mandates for 101 members, predominantly from , amid ongoing legal challenges and protests.

Committees and Internal Bodies

The Parliament of Georgia operates 16 standing committees, each focused on specific policy domains such as budget and finance, legal affairs, foreign relations, , defense and security, and . These committees handle preliminary substantive review of draft legislation, conduct hearings, formulate recommendations for plenary consideration, and exercise oversight over executive agencies, including scrutiny of budget implementation and government accountability reports. Standing committees are constituted proportionally to reflect the composition of parliamentary factions and non-faction members, with a minimum of nine members required; at least five members plus the chairperson must participate for meetings to proceed. Chairpersons of standing are elected by majority vote of the full Parliament via open , with nominations submitted by factions or groups of at least seven members within seven days of committee formation. All bills, except those involving votes of confidence or no-confidence in the , undergo committee examination before advancing to plenary sessions, where lead committees deliver conclusions on feasibility, amendments, and alignment with existing . Oversight extends to monitoring state entities, auditing public expenditures, and evaluating compliance with parliamentary resolutions, with committees empowered to summon officials and request documents. In addition to standing committees, the Parliament may establish temporary investigative committees by resolution supported by one-third of members to probe specific matters of public concern, such as alleged ; these bodies report findings and may propose or further inquiries. Other committees address transient issues initiated by the Chairperson, a faction, or one-fifth of Parliament. Amendments to committee statutes, approved under the revised Rules of Procedure effective July 1, 2025, streamline operations and enhance sectoral specialization. The Bureau of Parliament functions as the principal coordinating internal body, comprising the Chairperson, deputy chairpersons, and designated representatives from and factions. It approves regulations and membership quotas, assigns legislative initiatives to relevant , schedules plenary agendas, and oversees procedural compliance, including the distribution of oversight responsibilities among . The Bureau ensures alignment between outputs and plenary proceedings, facilitating efficient legislative and supervisory workflows.

Powers and Functions

Legislative Powers

The Parliament of Georgia possesses the supreme legislative authority within the unitary republic, as delineated in Article 36 of the , which vests it with the exercise of legislative power alongside determining domestic and directions and overseeing activities. This authority encompasses the enactment of laws regulating all facets of state governance not explicitly reserved to other branches or subnational entities, including exclusive competences such as , state symbols, and civil , economic foundations, and administrative-territorial arrangements. Legislative power is partially devolved to the supreme representative bodies of the autonomous republics of and for matters within their jurisdictions, though the Parliament retains overriding competence on national-level issues. Legislative output is categorized into ordinary laws, organic laws, and constitutional laws, each with distinct adoption thresholds to ensure varying degrees of consensus. Ordinary laws, addressing general regulatory matters, are adopted upon approval by a majority of members present at the sitting, provided this constitutes at least one-third of the Parliament's total 150 members. Organic laws, which govern foundational structures like elections, the , local self-government, and , require support from a majority of the total membership—76 votes—for passage. Constitutional laws and amendments demand higher hurdles: two-thirds (100 votes) of total members for initial adoption of certain provisions, escalating to three-fourths (113 votes) for final enactment or specific alterations affecting core state principles. The right of legislative initiative resides with the , individual Members of , parliamentary factions, committees, the President, the National Bank, the supreme courts, and the autonomous republics' legislative bodies for matters in their purview, enabling broad input into the lawmaking process. This framework underscores the 's central role in codifying into binding norms, subject to presidential assent or override via , which the may counteract with a two-thirds majority. In practice, this power has facilitated enactments ranging from electoral reforms to budgetary frameworks, though contested amendments, such as those in 2017-2018 shifting to a proportional system and adjusting thresholds, highlight the institution's capacity to reshape its own composition through organic legislation.

Oversight and Budgetary Authority

The Parliament of Georgia exercises primary budgetary authority by annually adopting the Law on State , which outlines revenues and expenditures for the , requiring approval by a of its full membership before promulgation by the President. If the budget is not approved by the fiscal year's start on , temporary regulations govern expenditures at the prior year's levels until passage, as provided under . The Government submits the draft budget by September 15 each year, and the , through its on Budget and , reviews and may amend proposals before final adoption, ensuring alignment with national priorities such as defense allocations averaging 2-3% of GDP in recent years. This process also includes parliamentary control over budget execution, with the ability to demand reports from executive agencies on spending compliance. In oversight functions, the Parliament supervises the executive branch via mechanisms including the power to summon Government members, including the Prime Minister and ministers, for oral or written interrogations under Article 43 of the Constitution. Standing committees, such as those on Legal Issues, Defense and Security, and Human Rights, conduct specialized scrutiny, including hearings, fact-finding inquiries, and post-legislative reviews to evaluate policy implementation. For instance, the Trust Group on Defense and Security oversees classified activities and special programs, reporting findings to the full chamber while maintaining confidentiality protocols. The Parliament may initiate no-confidence votes against the Government or individual ministers, requiring a simple majority for dismissal, thereby enforcing accountability on domestic and foreign policy execution. These powers are reinforced by the Rules of Procedure, which enable MPs to submit parliamentary inquiries and requests for information, though utilization has varied, with written questions predominating over in-session debates in oversight cases. Post-2018 constitutional reforms shifted some nomination powers to the President but preserved parliamentary veto authority over key appointments, such as the State Security Service head, enhancing checks on executive actions.

Other Competencies (e.g., Ratification and Declarations)

The Parliament of Georgia holds authority to ratify, denounce, or annul international treaties and agreements, requiring approval by a majority of its total membership. Treaties concerning military alliances, territorial integrity, state borders, or sovereign loans demand a three-fourths majority of total members for ratification. Once ratified, such treaties take precedence over domestic laws except where they conflict with the Constitution or constitutional laws, subject to review by the Constitutional Court. In matters of and crisis response, the approves or revokes the President's declarations of a or , with decisions needing a of total members. Upon such a declaration by the President—typically on the Prime Minister's recommendation—the convenes immediately and remains in session until the measure is lifted, ensuring legislative oversight during heightened restrictions on rights and freedoms. For instance, in March 2020, the endorsed President Salome Zourabichvili's decree imposing a amid the , with 115 votes in favor and 2 against. It also authorizes the deployment of the during states of or to fulfill international commitments, again by vote. The Parliament further decides on core issues of war and peace as part of defining foreign policy directions, including approval of truces or martial law extensions that imply conflict involvement. Under the Law of Georgia on the State of War, enacted in 1997, presidential decrees during wartime carry the force of law but must be submitted to the Parliament within 48 hours for review and potential endorsement or amendment. These competencies underscore the Parliament's role in constraining executive actions in existential threats, balancing rapid response with democratic accountability.

Leadership

Chairperson Role and Selection

The Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, also known as the Speaker, chairs parliamentary sittings, ensures adherence to the Rules of Procedure, grants the floor to members, manages debates, and oversees voting processes. The role includes signing laws and parliamentary acts adopted by the body, representing in domestic and international affairs, leading official delegations, and exercising administrative authority over Parliament's budget, staff appointments, and internal security. Additional powers, such as scheduling oversight reports, handling petitions, and nominating certain officials like the , are defined in the Rules of Procedure. The Chairperson also convenes and presides over the Bureau, Parliament's coordinating body comprising deputy chairpersons, chairs, and faction leaders, which manages agendas, assigns bills to , and oversees budgetary allocations. In foreign relations, the Chairperson acts as Parliament's supreme representative, inviting foreign dignitaries to address plenary sessions and coordinating international parliamentary engagements. These responsibilities ensure orderly legislative functioning while safeguarding members' rights to free expression, as stipulated in the . Selection occurs at the inaugural session of a newly convened Parliament, following general elections, under the temporary presidency of the eldest member until the vote concludes. Candidates may be nominated by parliamentary factions, groups of at least six members, or the majority or minority blocs; election requires a majority of votes from members present, provided attendance meets at least one-fifth of Parliament's total 150 seats. Voting proceeds electronically for one or two candidates or by secret ballot if more contend, with runoff rounds if no majority emerges initially. This process, governed by the Rules of Procedure, favors the party or coalition holding a parliamentary majority, as demonstrated in the November 25, 2024, election of Shalva Papuashvili by the Georgian Dream faction after their claimed victory in the October 26, 2024, elections.

Deputy Chairpersons and Succession

The Parliament of Georgia elects a First Chairperson and one or more Chairpersons from among its members to support the Chairperson in overseeing parliamentary operations, including session management and Bureau coordination. These elections occur at the start of each parliamentary term and require approval by a majority of the total number of Parliament members, ensuring alignment with the ruling majority's composition. The number of Deputy Chairpersons varies but typically includes several to facilitate division of responsibilities across policy areas or factions. Deputy Chairpersons participate in the Parliament's Bureau, which handles administrative and procedural matters, such as agenda setting and oversight. In practice, they represent the in external engagements and substitute for the Chairperson in specific duties, reflecting the unicameral body's need for amid a 150-member assembly. As of October 2025, the First Deputy Chairperson is Giorgi Volski of , with Deputy Chairpersons including Ilia Injia, Nino Tsilosani, Tea Tsulukiani, Giorgi Kakhiani, Sozar Subari, and Shota Berekashvili, all affiliated with the ruling faction following the 11th convocation's formation in 2024. For succession, the First Deputy Chairperson assumes the Chairperson's presiding functions during temporary absences, such as illness or travel, to maintain continuity in plenary sessions and decision-making. Permanent vacancies trigger a new by the Parliament, adhering to the majority-vote requirement under the , without a predefined interim beyond the First Deputy's acting role. This structure prioritizes prompt majority consensus over automatic succession lines, consistent with Georgia's parliamentary system where the Chairperson's authority derives from electoral mandate rather than hereditary or fixed protocols.

Historical Chairpersons

The Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia, also known as the Speaker, has evolved from the Soviet-era presidium to the post-independence unicameral legislature established amid political turmoil in the early . The role, defined under the 1995 (amended 2017), involves presiding over sessions, representing the body, and succeeding the president in cases of vacancy. Zviad Gamsakhurdia served as Chairman of the Supreme Council—the transitional —from 14 November 1990 until 14 April 1991, when he transitioned to the following a popular vote; his tenure ended amid escalating conflict leading to his ouster in January 1992. Eduard Shevardnadze, returning from Soviet diplomatic service, assumed leadership as Chairman of the State Council in March 1992 before becoming the first Chairperson of the reconstituted from 4 November 1992 to 25 November 1995, stabilizing the institution during civil strife and Abkhaz/ Ossetian conflicts. Zurab Zhvania, a reformist from the Citizens' Union of Georgia, held the chairmanship from 25 November 1995 until his resignation on 23 November 2001, amid growing opposition to Shevardnadze's administration; Zhvania focused on legislative reforms and efforts before becoming in 2004 (he died in office in 2005). succeeded Zhvania as Chairperson from 23 November 2001, serving through the 2003 —which ousted Shevardnadze—acting as interim president from November 2003 to January 2004, and resuming the speakership until 2008; her tenure bridged authoritarian challenges to democratic transitions under . Davit Bakradze of the United National Movement led from 2008 to 2012, navigating post-2008 Russia-Georgia war parliamentary dynamics and constitutional shifts toward reduced presidential powers. David Usupashvili, from the Republican Party, chaired from 2012 to October 2016 following the Georgian Dream coalition's electoral victory, emphasizing oversight reforms and EU association agreements amid cohabitation tensions with Saakashvili's outgoing administration. Subsequent chairpersons under Georgian Dream dominance include (November 2016–December 2017), who resigned amid protests over legislative proposals; Archil Talakvadze (2018–2020), handling responses and election disputes; and predecessors to the current leadership, reflecting the party's consolidated control post-2012.

Operations and Procedures

Sessions, Sittings, and Quorum

The Parliament of Georgia convenes in regular sessions twice annually, with the autumn session opening on the first Tuesday of September and closing on the third Friday of December, and the spring session opening on the first Tuesday of February and closing on the last Friday of June. These sessions encompass the primary periods for legislative activity, during which plenary sittings are scheduled to deliberate and vote on bills, oversight matters, and other competencies. Extraordinary sessions may be called by the upon the written request of the Chairperson of Parliament, at least one-fourth of the members (38 out of 150), or the , and must commence within 48 hours of the request. Such sessions address urgent issues outside the regular calendar, as evidenced by instances like the July 12, 2023, extraordinary plenary addressing copyright legislation. Within sessions, sittings—formal plenary meetings—are the operational units where debates occur and decisions are made. Sittings are public by default, ensuring transparency, though they may be closed to the public by a majority vote of those present, provided at least one-third of total members (50 out of 150) attend the vote. Voting in sittings is conducted openly unless the or organic laws specify secrecy for particular matters. Special sittings can be convened during regular sessions for focused agendas or in states of emergency or , with temporary relocation permissible only under those conditions to maintain continuity. A is required for to conduct business, consisting of a majority of total members (76 out of 150) present at the initial sitting to authorize proceedings. Decisions during sittings require a majority of members present, but at minimum one-third of the total membership (50 out of 150), unless higher thresholds are mandated by the for specific actions like constitutional amendments. Failure to achieve quorum has repeatedly stalled sessions, such as on April 19, 2023, when only 52 members registered, preventing votes on oversight commissions, and on June 11, 2024, where insufficient registration twice halted plenary openings. This threshold enforces broad participation while allowing flexibility once established.

Lawmaking Process

Bills in the Parliament of Georgia may be introduced by the President, the , parliamentary , parliamentary factions, at least one-fifth of the members of Parliament from the full composition, or by with signatures from 25,000 voters for ordinary laws and 200,000 for constitutional laws. Introduced bills are submitted with justifications and supporting documents to the Organizational Issues Department for registration, followed by review from the Legal Issues Department and the Budgetary Policy and Finance Department before assignment to a lead by the Parliament's Bureau. The lead , along with other relevant committees, examines , incorporating expert opinions, holding public hearings where applicable, and preparing conclusions within 30 days (extendable by 15 days). review involves sectional discussions, amendment proposals, and voting by among attending members, after which advances to plenary sessions structured in three readings: the first for debate on general principles and a vote on ; the second for detailed article-by-article review, amendments, and voting; and the third for editorial corrections and a final vote on as a whole. Timelines mandate the first reading within four weeks of committee conclusions, the second within four weeks of first-reading , and preparation for the third within 105 days overall. Voting occurs openly or electronically during plenary sessions, requiring a of at least one-third of the total membership; ordinary laws pass by a of those present or the full composition as specified, while organic laws require more than half of the full 150-member composition, and constitutional laws demand two-thirds approval from the full composition. Upon passage at the third reading, the Chairperson signs the bill and transmits it to the President within 10 days. The President has 14 days to sign the bill into or return it unsigned with veto motivations within 21 days; failure to act results in automatic enactment. Parliament may override a by a simple majority vote in a single hearing, compelling the President to sign or allowing the Chairperson to promulgate the if the President refuses. Accelerated or simplified procedures may apply for urgent matters, bypassing standard timelines with Bureau approval, though such expedited processes have drawn scrutiny in OSCE assessments for potentially limiting debate.

Transparency and Public Access

The Parliament of Georgia provides live webcasts of plenary sessions and committee meetings on its official website, facilitating remote public observation of legislative proceedings. Agendas for these meetings are published in advance, while results of votes and draft legislation are made available on the parliamentary site, allowing citizens to submit comments on proposed bills. The is subject to Georgia's law, which mandates proactive disclosure and response to requests, with a dedicated parliamentary office handling such inquiries; exemptions apply to state secrets, commercial data, personal information, and professional privileges under the General Administrative Code. Annual reports and the full budget are published , alongside regulations requiring lobbyist registration and reporting, though the public register's accessibility remains limited. Plenary and committee meetings are formally open to the , except in cases of approved by vote, with provisions for physical attendance in galleries subject to security protocols. Broadcasts are also allocated via the , distributed proportionally among parliamentary factions based on membership size. In practice, transparency and access have declined since 2020, with Transparency International Georgia reporting untimely and incomplete public information releases, including failures to provide MP speeches, disciplinary records, and details upon request. The 2023 assessment highlighted 791 unanswered questions from opposition MPs (27% of total) compared to minimal from the , alongside restricted consultations. New security rules effective September 4, 2023, curtailed general public and media entry, while in April 2024, online media were blocked from a session on foreign influence legislation; by November 2024, non-broadcast journalists faced indefinite bans, confining on-site coverage to two television teams per outlet.

Controversies and Criticisms

Election Disputes and Allegations of Irregularities

The parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024, to elect the 10th of the Parliament of Georgia were immediately contested by opposition parties, who alleged systemic including ballot stuffing, voter , and manipulation of results in favor of the ruling (GD) party. The Central Election Commission (CEC) certified GD's victory with 53.97% of the proportional vote, securing 89 seats in the 150-member unicameral body, while opposition coalitions fragmented and failed to surpass the 1% threshold collectively. President Salome Zourabichvili refused to convene the new parliament, labeling the outcome a "coup" and fraudulent based on evidence of irregularities such as discrepancies in precinct protocols and coerced voting. In response, the CEC ordered a partial recount in approximately 5% of precincts amid protests that drew thousands to , with clashes involving police using and water cannons. International election observers from the OSCE/ODIHR mission reported that the offered voters a choice amid 18 competing lists, but were undermined by an uneven playing field, including misuse of state resources by GD, pressure on employees, and a climate of that reduced public confidence. The Council of Europe's monitoring report similarly highlighted polarization, unequal competition, and widespread voter suppression tactics, concluding that these factors significantly challenged the legitimacy of the results without outright invalidating the process. GD dismissed claims as routine irregularities exaggerated by opposition forces, attributing GD's win to voter preference for stability over pro-Western policies amid geopolitical tensions. Statistical analyses by independent watchdogs identified anomalies, such as disproportionate turnout spikes in rural GD strongholds and precinct results, suggesting potential coordinated manipulation, though these remain unproven in and contested by authorities. Preceding this, the October 31, 2020, elections—conducted under a mixed system yielding 30% proportional and 70% majoritarian seats—sparked a protracted crisis after GD secured 48.23% of the proportional vote and 90 seats overall. Opposition groups, including United National Movement, boycotted the 9th convocation, alleging widespread violations like falsified protocols, carousel voting, and bribery, supported by leaked videos and parallel vote tabulations showing opposition leads of up to 55%. OSCE/ODIHR deemed the polls competitive with respected fundamental freedoms but noted pervasive pressure on voters, blurring of party-state lines, and reduced trust, particularly in majoritarian races prone to local influence. The dispute escalated into a constitutional standoff, resolved only in April 2021 via EU-brokered talks releasing opposition leaders and pledging electoral reforms, though implementation faltered. Earlier contests, such as the 2012 elections that ended United National Movement rule, featured GD allegations of irregularities under President Saakashvili, including voter list inaccuracies and opposition misuse of incumbency, but were internationally validated as a democratic transfer despite tensions. Recurring patterns across cycles involve rural-urban divides, with majoritarian districts often cited for undue influence via patronage networks, contributing to polarized legitimacy debates that have repeatedly delayed parliamentary formations and prompted calls for proportional-only systems. These disputes underscore institutional vulnerabilities, including CEC composition favoring incumbents and limited judicial recourse, as critiqued in European Parliament resolutions demanding independent audits.

Accusations of Authoritarianism and Repressive Legislation

The Parliament of Georgia, dominated by the party since 2012, has faced accusations of enacting measures to consolidate power and suppress dissent, particularly since 2023. Critics, including organizations and opposition figures, allege that legislation targets , , and political opponents, drawing parallels to Russian-style restrictions that undermine democratic norms. officials counter that such laws enhance transparency and national sovereignty against undue foreign influence, dismissing Western critiques as interference. A focal point of criticism is the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence," adopted in May 2024 after overriding a presidential , which mandates that nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets receiving more than 20% of from abroad register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power." Opponents, including , condemned it as repressive for stigmatizing legitimate advocacy and enabling government harassment, sparking mass protests in . This was followed by the in April 2025, introducing criminal penalties—including fines up to 10,000 (approximately $3,700)—for non-registration or failure to disclose "foreign agents," which critics argue further chills civic . Georgian Dream maintained the measures mirror U.S. requirements for disclosure, not persecution. Additional legislation has drawn ire for restricting rights and foreign funding. In April 2025, passed a bill prohibiting foreign donors from granting funds to local groups without state approval, viewed by as curtailing independent operations amid Georgia's aspirations. In June 2024, initial approval was granted to a "" package banning "LGBT propaganda" in schools and media, along with gender reassignment procedures, which and others labeled as discriminatory and emblematic of broader intolerance. By October 2025, a draft law proposed criminal sanctions for individuals previously fined under administrative codes, interpreted by local monitors as a tool to escalate penalties against protesters. These actions coincide with broader claims of a power consolidation, including a September 2025 parliamentary report labeling the 2003 Rose Revolution a "coup" orchestrated by foreign-backed forces, fueling allegations of intent to delegitimize opposition parties like the United National Movement. International observers, such as the OSCE, have warned that such laws erode civil society monitoring and media pluralism, contributing to Georgia's democratic backsliding. Georgian Dream has rejected these as exaggerated, with party leader Irakli Kobakhidze asserting in 2023 that comparisons to Russian laws were misleading and that the measures safeguard against "blackmail" from Brussels.

International Reactions and Sovereignty Debates

The Georgian Parliament's adoption of the on Transparency of Foreign Influence in May 2024, requiring entities receiving more than 20% of funding from abroad to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power," elicited widespread condemnation from Western governments and organizations. The expressed deep regret over the Parliament's override of President Salomé Zourabichvili's on May 28, 2024, stating that the legislation contradicted Georgia's EU membership aspirations and undermined democratic reforms. The , through , announced a of cooperation with Georgia on May 24, 2024, citing the law's potential to stifle and media, with implications for bilateral aid and visa policies. Jens described the bill as a "step in the wrong direction" on May 15, 2024, emphasizing its divergence from alliance values amid Georgia's aspirations. These reactions framed the law as a Russian-style measure that threatened and , drawing parallels to Moscow's 2012 foreign agent legislation, which has been used to suppress dissent. criticized the law on May 9, 2024, for enabling government harassment of NGOs and journalists, potentially eroding and free expression. The ruling party defended the legislation as essential for , arguing it countered undue foreign interference in domestic affairs, particularly from Western-funded entities promoting agendas misaligned with Georgian interests. International observers, including the UN Council, urged withdrawal of the draft in April 2024, highlighting risks to organizations reliant on foreign grants for development and advocacy work. Sovereignty debates intensified around the law's implications for Georgia's autonomy, with asserting it restored state control over narratives dominated by external actors, thereby enhancing true independence from post-Soviet dependencies. Critics, including analysts at the , contended in March 2025 that the measure facilitated Russian influence operations, which integrate political, economic, and informational tactics to erode democratic institutions and regional stability, ultimately compromising Georgia's sovereign decision-making. Proponents of EU integration viewed the law as a pivot toward , evidenced by subsequent parliamentary actions like restrictions on opposition media, which fueled protests and raised questions about the Parliament's alignment with public will on foreign policy orientation. The U.S. Institute of Peace noted in 2023 protests against similar drafts that such legislation undercut EU integration prospects, prioritizing short-term authoritarian consolidation over long-term sovereign resilience against Russian pressures. International scrutiny extended to the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections, which OSCE observers described as offering voter choice but marred by an uneven playing field, voter intimidation, and favoring , which secured a . The EU's statement on October 27, 2024, called for investigations into irregularities, expressing concerns over the elections' credibility amid pre-vote crackdowns on critics. Post-election disputes, including opposition boycotts and recounts, amplified questions, with Western entities questioning the Parliament's legitimacy to enact divisive laws without broader consensus, while Georgian authorities dismissed foreign critiques as interference infringing on electoral . By October 2025, the law's enforcement had labeled over 100 organizations as foreign agents, prompting further EU deliberations on sanctions against officials and stalling accession talks, underscoring tensions between national claims and international norms of democratic .

Facilities

Headquarters and Architectural History

The current headquarters of the Parliament of Georgia is the Parliament Building located at 8 Avenue in , which serves as the primary venue for legislative sessions and operations. This Soviet-era structure, originally built as the of the Georgian SSR, exemplifies infused with traditional Georgian decorative elements, such as motifs inspired by ancient national styles. Construction of the upper section commenced in 1938 under architects V. Kokorin and G. Lezhava, enclosing an inner courtyard on three sides, while the main facade along was finished in 1953. In October 2012, the parliament relocated to a newly constructed modern facility in , Georgia's second-largest city, as part of an initiative to decentralize political power from the capital. The Kutaisi building, designed with a prominent glass dome enclosing the assembly hall, was completed between 2011 and 2012 at a cost exceeding $100 million and intended to symbolize transparency in through its expansive, light-permeable structure. Plenary sessions were held there until early 2019, though committee meetings had partially returned to as early as 2014. A ratified in June 2018 facilitated the full return of the parliament to , reversing the 2011 decision to establish as the permanent seat. Operations resumed in the building by January 2019, restoring its role as the central legislative hub. The abandoned structure, facing maintenance challenges and uncertain repurposing—such as potential conversion into an IT park—highlights ongoing debates over the policy's legacy.

Security and Modern Adaptations

The Parliament of Georgia maintains a multi-tiered protocol to safeguard operations amid frequent protests and political tensions, with levels such as and red activated based on assessed risks. The level, enforced during sessions like those on November 26, 2024, and May 14, 2025, restricts entry to pre-invited individuals, limits media access to two representatives per outlet, and prohibits unapproved visitors to prevent disruptions. The red level, a more stringent measure, was implemented at 23:00 on May 1, 2024, in response to escalating threats, and later transitioned back to on December 6, 2024, following de-escalation. These protocols, coordinated with the State Service, prioritize a secure environment for legislative proceedings, as evidenced by annual activity reports presented to the Defence and on June 24, 2025. In September 2023, the Parliament introduced updated visitor regulations prohibiting banners, distribution of informational materials, or placement of demonstration items on the premises, aiming to curb internal agitation while allowing monitored access. During heightened unrest, such as anti-government rallies in late 2024 and early 2025, additional police deployments secure the perimeter of the building on , with measures like those on October 4, 2025, involving reinforced barriers and patrols to manage crowds without halting core functions. Modern adaptations include scalable alert systems integrated with real-time threat assessments from the State Security Service, enabling rapid shifts between levels as seen in cancellations post-protest subsidence on December 12, 2024. These enhancements reflect responses to recurrent challenges, including 2024 election-related demonstrations, prioritizing operational continuity over open access during volatility.

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