With a vote of 166 to 9 the Georgian Parliament approved a package of constitutional amendments concerning new election dates for the Adjarian legislative body and other related issues with its first hearing on December 14.
According to the draft amendments, elections of the Adjara?s Supreme Council will be held sometime between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.
Another package of constitutional amendments also discussed by the lawmakers on December 14 envisages holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008.
In all of these cases it will be up to the President to announce the exact election dates. The provision will be applicable only once, in 2008.
The amendments will prolong the current Adjarian Supreme Council?s term in office by about 4-6 months. The current legislative body in Adjara was elected in June 2004.
According to the draft, the President will be obliged to nominate a Chairman of the Adjarian Government through consultations with the factions of the newly-elected Supreme Council. Currently, the President can nominate the head of Adjara without these consultations.
The draft amendments also envisage the establishment of a state audit agency – the Clearing House of the Adjara Autonomous Republic.
But there is controversy among lawmakers whether the Adjarian Clearing House should be an independent body or a structure under the subordination of the Georgian Control of Chamber ? the country?s state audit agency.
The lawmakers agreed to continue consultations on this issue and propose a final decision by the second hearing of the draft.
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