Irakli Kobakhidze Calls for Removal of 'Deoligarchization' Term by the European Commission to Prompt Law Cancellation
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of Georgian Dream stated that the Venice Commission and the European Commission are in conflict with each other regarding the "deoligarchization law" because the Venice Commission favors a systematic approach, while the European Commission's recommendation implies a personal approach.
"There is a contradiction between the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the European Commission. If they reach an agreement, we will follow the guidance of the European Commission. However, currently, the Venice Commission advises one thing while the European Commission advises another.
The Venice Commission expresses its disapproval of the personalized approach and emphasizes the need for reforms in various areas, which are already being implemented.
On the other hand, the European Commission advocates for a personalized approach and emphasizes the concept of deoligarchization. The term itself implies a focus on individuals, as an oligarch refers to a person.
Once the European Commission aligns with the Venice Commission and removes the aspect of de-oligarchization from the 12 points, we will promptly revoke the law. We intend to pass this law through three readings before the end of this month," stated Kobakhidze.
According to Kobakhidze, the deadline for implementing the law will be extended until March 1. If the European Commission aligns with the recommendation of the Venice Commission in December, the law will be revoked in February.
To additional questions about how the instructions of the Venice Commission and the European Commission contradict each other, when the European Commission says that the problem of deoligarchization should be solved, and the Venice Commission offers a way to solve this problem, Kobakhidze said that an oligarch is a person and de-oligarchization means a personal approach:
"Oligarch is a person. Deoligarchization means the implementation of a specific person's de... something. Then they said, carry out reforms. The Venice Commission has written well what a systemic approach means. Then the European Commission should share the approach of the Venice Commission, remove the word de-oligarchization, and say that reforms are needed. They have internal resistance, we want clarity.
[...] De-oligarchization means, for example, that Kezerashvili is an oligarch, de-Kezerashviliization should take place. The word deoligarchization is personalized, so we are saying something simple: if the European Commission itself does not support a personalized approach, it should be reflected in 12 points," he said.
