Lack of Quorum Thwarts Parliament Session Again

Parliament failed for a second time this week to hold a session on May 15 due to lack of quorum of at least 76 MPs required for a session to be opened.

Parliament also failed to hold a session for the same reason on May 13.

67 MPs, nine short of required quorum, underwent registration early on Friday afternoon.

Although some lawmakers from opposition UNM party were present in the chamber in Kutaisi, they refused to undergo registration; they said they boycotted in an attempt to show that the parliamentary majority is “incapable” to work.

Parliament speaker Davit Usupashvili said that many of those lawmakers from the Georgian Dream parliamentary majority group, who were absent, were either in foreign visits or in Tbilisi participating in events related to EBRD annual meeting and business forum.

Lawmakers from opposition Free Democrats were also absent as they were attending a trial of former MoD officials in Tbilisi court.