The Government of Georgia approves self-government Code
By Tatia Megeneishvili
Monday, November 4
The Government of Georgia approved the Self-Government Code on October 31. The code fully changes the previous vicious practice of self-government and offers a European type of self-government system oriented on the public
The most important novelty is that the number of self-governing cities will increase and instead of the five self-governing cities that exist today which includes Tbilisi, Rustavi, Kutaisi, Poti, and Batumi, this status will be conferred to those cities where the number of population exceeds 15,000 for example: Zugdidi, Gori, and Ozurgeti.
Communities will be established from the villages nearby self-governing cities and on their base, municipalities will be formed. Managing links of self-governing units of cities and municipalities will be elected. A long-term vision of fiscal decentralization was also defined, which will provide more financial resource to self-governments
The code also stipulates the creation of public councils in villages, which will support the detection of the actual needs of the population of these villages and the solution to those needs.
The reform will result in correct social-economic development of the cities and villages throughout the country; local government will be closer with local population and it will increase the level of involvement of citizens in the solution of issues of local importance. The quality of provision of social services will improve. Solution of vital interests will increase the level of responsibility of public.
Regulated by the Self-Government Code and alongside the institute of governor, a collegial body will be established and staffed by the members of the assembly. This body will be involved in the decision making process.
The Board of the Public Self-Government, non-governmental organizations and experts were actively involved in the development of the Self-Government Code. It was due to their active engagement that working on one of the most important documents for the development of the country was achieved in a timely manner.
The Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, David Narmania, said that there are some organizations that are principally against the reform. The United National Movement (UNM) are one of the groups, as they are against any kind of reforms.
”I declare it with full responsibility, that the Self-Government Code derives from the European chertier and is not against it,” said Minister Narmania, adding that this new code will soon be sent to the European Union for further advice.
Member of the UNM, Pavle Kublashvili, said no chapters should be included in the new code that would shorten the mayors’ authorities. “Everyone must remember that the mayor is elected straightly,” stated Kublashvili.
