MPs Decide on Nine Vice-Speakers, Two New Committees

The number of vice-speaker posts in Parliament has increased from four to nine, as a result of an amendment passed on its first hearing on June 13.

According to the amendment opposition lawmakers can nominate candidates for three vice-speaker positions.

Currently only two vice-speakers’ post are filled.

In addition, according to the amendment, the number of deputy chairmen of parliamentary committees will increase from two to three. One deputy committee chair post will go to the opposition.

Davit Bakradze, the parliamentary chairman, said the amendments were in line with an agreement reached between the ruling party and the Christian-Democratic Party and On Our Own party, which Bakradze said was designed to give more power to opposition lawmakers.

In accordance with the amendment, two new parliamentary committees have been created – one on sports and youth issues and another one on Georgian diaspora issues. Giorgi Asanidze and political newcomer Nugzar Tsiklauri, both from the ruling party, are likely to chair the new committees, respectively.