Ivanishvili Calls for Constitutional Changes to Address Territorial Integrity
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Bidzina Ivanishvili, Honorary Chairman of the Georgian Dream party, underscored the potential need for constitutional amendments to address issues related to Georgia's territorial integrity during an election campaign event in Mtskheta.
Ivanishvili suggested that the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity could necessitate changes to the Constitution. "At any time, the issue of restoring the territorial integrity of Georgia may be on the agenda, at which point it will be necessary to make appropriate changes to the Constitution of Georgia," Ivanishvili said.
He explained that such changes would be essential for revising the country's governance system and territorial arrangement. "In the conditions of restoration of territorial integrity, the country's governance system and territorial arrangement must be revised, which is impossible without changes in the constitution," Ivanishvili stated.
Ivanishvili accused the "collective" United National Movement of opposing these constitutional changes and creating obstacles. "The collective National Movement will definitely go against the national interests even in such a time and will create an obstacle to the restoration of territorial integrity, which cannot be allowed," he warned.
To ensure the effective implementation of any necessary amendments, Ivanishvili emphasized the importance of the Georgian Dream securing a constitutional majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
"Accordingly, the Georgian Dream must have a constitutional majority in the parliament of the next convocation, so that, if necessary, the necessary constitutional changes for the restoration of territorial integrity can be implemented without hindrance," he said.
Ivanishvili also mentioned an additional issue concerning the protection of Georgia's identity and national values. He indicated that ongoing consultations are taking place and promised that the party would reveal its stance on this matter soon. "As we mentioned in the letter, there is another, fourth issue, the regulation of which can be of great importance for the protection of Georgia's identity and national values. However, consultations on this issue continue and we will share our position on it in the near future," Ivanishvili said.
