The Parliament launched on November 25 consideration of a new draft law on self-governance, which was presented by MP Vano Khukhunaishvili, who chairs the commission working over the draft.
The draft envisages an administrative-territorial division into regional municipalities throughout the country and the abolishment of the currently operating 1100 self-governance bodies ? “Sakrebulo”, or Council – in villages, communities and in small towns in the country.
According to the draft, the territory of Georgia will be divided into 65 regional municipalities and 7 cities ? the capital Tbilisi, Batumi (Adjara Autonomous Republic), Rustavi, Poti, Kutaisi, capital of South Ossetia Tskhinvali and capital of Abkhazia Sokhumi. Other towns will be united in the regional municipalities.
Councils will be elected through a proportional system for a four-year term. The Mayor, as well as his deputies, will be elected by the Sakrebulo from among its members for a 4-year term as well.
This provision triggered protests by the opposition, which demands the direct elections of Mayors. Opponents are also protesting against the cancellation of lower level self-governance
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