Representatives from the opposition Republicans and Conservative parties, as well as from the public movement ‘Forum for Welfare and Democracy’ submitted a request on June 16 to the Central Election Commission (CEC) to launch a collection of Georgian voters’ signatures to hold a referendum on whether or not to hold direct elections of regional governors and city Mayors.
If the CEC gives the green light, opposition parties will have to collect at least 200,000 signatures. According to the law, the CEC should respond to this request to launch a collection of signatures within one month.
Currently, the Mayors of the capital city Tbilisi and Poti are appointed by the President, as are all regional Governors. Recently, the authorities proposed a draft law that envisages the election of the Mayors by elected City Councils (Sakrebulo). The opposition, however, insists on direct elections.
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