Parliament Sessions Weekly Review, Special Session. January 30-February 1, 2002

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 1, WEDNESDAY- FRIDAY

1. Draft project on ” state Budget 2002 of Georgia”

Finance minister Zurab Nogaideli represented Budget 2002 project. Government didn’t take to account most of Parliament recommendations caused negative reactions from Mps.

Faction “Traditionalist” represented plan on Defense budget enlargement supplying it with lessened Fund of President. Government didn’t satisfied “traditionalist’s” suggestion.

For the second hearing the enlargement of teachers’ salaries by 30% were taken to account in budget. Tamaz Gamkrelidze raised issue of the same enlargement of wage to professors of High school but it was not satisfied either. Zurab Nogaideli promised MPs to introduce bill for April 1, 2002 defining living minimum by 50 GEL on the basis of Tax-Revenue committee recommendation.

Factions “Traditionalist” and “Movement for democratic reforms” expressed their negative position towards Budget. Among other supporting factions only faction “Alliance for new Georgia” chairman Irakli Gogava made scandal statement. He accused in secret alliance Zurab Nogaideli and parliamentary forces those care for mass disorder. By Gogava logic Nogaideli encourages Professors and students protest actions while increasing salaries only to schoolteachers.

Parliament chairwoman demanded to hold rating voting.

For – 84
Against – 20

Results showed that Budget could fail. The chairman of “CUG” faction Merab Tkeshelashvili declared that faction didn’t participate in voting and demanded break for pre-voting consultations with government.

Sandro Bregadze accused “CUG” in open political trade and power demonstration. Parliamentary anxiousness and inter-accusation cancelled after State Minister Avtandil Jorbenadze positive promises.

Finally, Budget was voted by II and III hearings.

For – 135 
Against – 20  /II hearing/

For – 135 
Against – 20  /III hearing/

2. Draft projects connected to draft project on ” state Budget 2002 of Georgia”:

• Draft project on “changes and amendments to Georgian law on “public service”
• Draft project on “changes to “Georgia state awards”
• Draft project on “changes to the bill on “MP live and health compulsory insurance and pension guarantying”
• Draft project on “changes to Georgian law on “Education”
• Draft project on “changes to Georgian law on “Health protection”
• Draft project on “changes and amendments to “Labor Code”
• Draft project on “changes and amendments to Georgian law on “local taxes”
• Draft project on “changes to Georgian law on “veterans of war and military forces”
• Draft project on “changes to Georgian organic law on “local government and self-government”

Voting was postponed because of not having quorum.

3. Draft project on “changes to Georgian election code”

The chairman of committee on Legal Issues, the Legitimacy and Administrative Reforms Zurab Adeishvili represented draft project.

Changes refer to changing before term abolished authority “Sakrebulo” member by following candidate in party list consenting in 10 days.

Voting was postponed.

4. Draft project on “changes and amendments to Georgian organic law on “Constitutional Court”

Parliament secretary of President Mariam Tsatsanashvili represented the bill.

Changes refer to action discussion terms (6 months); parliament, Ajara and Abkhazia Autonomy Republic normative acts become discussing subjects of Constitutional Court; issues connected to elections and referendum, etc.

The chairman of constitutional Court Joni Khetsuriani didn’t share Legal Issues, the Legitimacy and Administrative Reforms committee suggestion – political party to become subject of Constitutional Court as juridical person. Committee decided to vote for this issue as alternative sentence.

Voting was postponed.

5. Draft project on “changes to Georgian election code” /connected to draft project on “changes and amendments to Georgian organic law on “Constitutional Court”/

Voting was postponed.

6. Draft project on “changes and amendments to Georgian law on “Constitutional law-proceedings” /connected to draft project on “changes and amendments to Georgian organic law on “Constitutional Court”/

Voting was postponed.