Georgia's Saakashvili may face impeachment

Georgy Kalatozishvili, Tbilisi. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

The parliament of Georgia gathered for the first session in Kutaisi – the second large city of the country. The new building of the parliament leaves an ambiguous impression. It is another masterpiece of contemporary architecture which was build with direct participation of president. However, the construction is unfinished: only the hall for plenary sessions is completely ready.

In due time the decision of moving the legislative body to Kutaisi caused bewilderment in the country. Everybody got used to seeing the parliament in the center of Tbilisi. The opposition accused Saakashvili of Bonaparteism, but the president insisted that moving of the parliament was a very important decision for equal development of regions.  The ruling United National Movement made amendments to the constitution, and Georgian Dream of Bidzina Ivanishvili had to go to the second capital. However, new authorities promise to return the parliament to Tbilisi. Thus, Georgia will set another world record.

For making amendments to the constitution, Dream needs two thirds of the parliament, i.e. 100 voices. Ivanishvili’s coalition gained 85 mandates in the elections, while the UNM – 65. It seemed not to be enough for the constitutional majority, but as the power shifted in the country many deputies elected from the UNM will probably join Georgian Dream. The symptoms were shown during the first session when PMs voted for vice-speakers and heads of committees. The leader of the parliamentary minority, the former speaker of the parliament, David Bakradze, declared boycotting of the voting by the pro-presidential party, but the number of voters was 92. It means some PMs from the UNM didn’t obey the party discipline. Right after the session the PM from the Khobsky district, Goderdzi Bukia, told journalists that he and his colleagues decided to establish a separate fraction. Of course, it will extend and it is an alarming signal for president. The constitutional majority will gain an opportunity of not only returning the parliament to Tbilisi, but also launch the process of impeachment.

The new chairman of the parliament republican David Usupashvili purposely mentioned “the case of Gelashvili” in his first speech, saying that beating of PM Valery Gelasvili should be investigated for punishment initiators of the crime. In 2005 Gelashvili had litigation with the government. He heavily criticized president Saakshvili and once said: “What a president he is, if his wife left him?!” Few days after this interview unknown people beat Gelashvili and only thanks to miracle he survived. A year later the former defense minister Irakly Okruashvili stated that the PM was beat according to the order of Saakashvili. A special parliamentary committee has to investigate it. Meanwhile, Saakshvili spoke enthusiastically in the parliament this time. He urged PMs “to leave hatred away” and cooperate in favor of the country.