GD Parliament Adopts Amendments to Law on Diplomatic Service
Georgian Dream Parliament on May 14 passed, in an expedited manner, amendments to the Law on Diplomatic Service, with 87 votes in favor. The passage happened just 10 days after the changes were introduced.
The amendments establish a legal basis for the early termination of diplomatic postings for officials who violate ethical standards or act against the government’s officially declared foreign policy. The changes also allow for extending rotation periods for diplomatic and administrative staff by up to one year. Additionally, the law now mandates performance evaluations for these employees at least twice a year, replacing the previous requirement of one annual review.
The changes were widely decried as they were perceived to target the employees who signed the joint statement in support of the European and Euro-Atlantic course and condemned the GD’s U-turn on the European membership process. The statement said the GD decision contradicts the requirements of Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia.
The legislative changes come amid an ongoing reorganization at the Foreign Ministry, which is expected to result in the dismissal of hundreds of employees and structural changes within the institution.
President Salome Zurabishvili reacted to the new law, saying that “it actually imposes total control of the Georgian Dream on diplomats, our ambassadors abroad.”
In a separate controversial development on the diplomatic front, the Georgian government said on May 14 that it has withdrawn its support for Zurab Pololikashvili’s bid for a third term as secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Pololikashvili, who has held the post since 2018, was preparing to run again this year. The government announced on May 14 that it will instead back the candidate nominated by the United Arab Emirates. Officials claimed the decision to withdraw Pololikashvili’s candidacy was made at his own request.
Also Read:
- 01/05/2025 – Opposition Claims MFA Reorganization Targets Pro-EU Diplomats
- 06/03/2025 – TV Imedi Report Normalizes Firing of Civil Servant for Protest
- 29/11/2024 – Diplomats’ Joint Statement: Stopping EU Accession Negotiations Contradicts Country’s Strategic Interests
This post is also available in: ქართული Русский