Parliament Puts 14 Judges on the Top Bench for Lifetime Tenure
On December 12, the plenary session of the Parliament of Georgia has confirmed 14 judges out of 20 candidates for the lifetime tenure at the Supreme Court.
The judges were supported by the parliamentary majority as the opposition parties, including the United National Movement (UNM), European Georgia and former ruling party lawmakers, refused to participate in voting.
The new Supreme Court judges are:
- Merab Gabinashvili;
- Miranda Eremadze;
- Mamuka Vasadze (First Deputy Prosecutor General);
- Maia Vachadze;
- Tamar Zambakhidze;
- Shalva Tadumadze (Acting Prosecutor General);
- Vladimer Kakabadze;
- Levan Mikaberidze;
- Giorgi Mikautadze (Secretary of the High Council of Justice);
- Nugzar Skhirtladze;
- Lali Papiashvili;
- Nino Kadagidze;
- Ketevan Tsintsadze;
- Alexander Tsuladze;
The following candidates were voted down:
- Tamar Alania;
- Shota Getsadze;
- Paata Silagadze;
- Lasha Kochiashvili;
- Gocha Jeiranashvili.
The plenary confirmed the decision of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Issues which endorsed the same 14 candidates earlier today. The plenary added to five candidates rejected by the Committee also the Acting Chair of Constitutional Court Zaza Tavadze, who withdrew his candidacy on December 2.
Interviews with the candidates at the Parliament’s Legal Issues Committee was strongly criticized by opposition, civil society organizations and non-judge members of the High Council of Justice. Today’s voting was also held amid protest.
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