Usupashvili: Parliament’s door is open for president’s speech
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Wednesday, March 25
Parliament Chair Davit Usupashvili states that the parliament door will be open for all who have a constitutional right to attend the president’s annual speech scheduled for March 31.
Usupashvili said that eligible individuals do not need a special invitation to be present for the speech, in which Giorgi Margvelashvili will touch upon all the domestic and foreign challenges Georgia currently faces.
The parliament has failed to announce the format of the speech, and whether it will be just a report or if there will be debates following the speech.
Majority MP Eka Beselia states that the issue is likely to be solved on Monday.
It also remains unclear whether the government will attend the speech or not.
Minister of Agriculture Otar Danelia stated that the government’s presence depends on various details.
“Quite a lot time is left before the speech, we will discuss the issue and make a decision,” Danelia said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili has already made public his refusal.
He stressed that the country’s constitutional arrangement has been modified, and the president is no longer the leading figure in the country.
Gharibashvili described the speech as important. However, he said that the government had no obligation to attend the speech.
Commenting on the topic, the President’s Parliamentary Secretary Giorgi Kverenchkhiladze stated on March 24 that attendance of the executive body officials, as well as the judiciary system and diplomatic corps’ representatives would be quite important.
A written appeal has already been sent to parliament by the president’s administration.
The opposition Union National Movement and Free Democrats believe that the absence of the government would be disrespectful to the president’s institute.
