The Georgian Parliament of the XI convocation has formally recognized the authority of all 150 elected members, despite ongoing controversies surrounding the legitimacy of the election results. The recognition process was concluded during the first session on November 25, with members of the ruling Georgian Dream party in attendance.
Certification of Credentials
The temporary mandate commission reviewed and verified the documents of all 150 deputies, paving the way for a parliamentary vote. Following the review, the head of the commission presented a unified list of the elected deputies, and voting was held.
Georgian Dream, holding the majority in parliament, cast 88 votes to officially recognize the authority of all members. Afterward, Georgian Dream deputies took an oath of loyalty to the nation, followed by a performance of the Georgian national anthem.
Breakdown of Parliamentary Representation
Based on the official results from the Central Election Commission (CEC), five political entities secured representation in the new parliament:
- Georgian Dream: 89 seats (retaining majority).
- Coalition for Changes: 19 seats.
- Unity – National Movement: 16 seats.
- Strong Georgia: 14 seats.
- Gakharia for Georgia: 12 seats.
While Georgian Dream has moved forward with the recognition process, opposition parties have boycotted the parliament, citing allegations of election irregularities.
Opposition and Constitutional Concerns
Except for Georgian Dream, none of the other parties crossing the electoral threshold have accepted the CEC’s results or taken their seats in parliament. Opposition leaders have appealed the election’s legitimacy to the Constitutional Court, which has yet to deliver its verdict.
Constitutional experts have voiced concerns about the process, stating that parliamentary recognition of credentials may be premature without the Constitutional Court’s ruling. Despite this, Georgian Dream proceeded with scheduling the first session, during which it also plans to elect a chairman, deputies, and committee leaders.
Implications for Georgia’s Political Landscape
The ongoing political standoff underscores deep divisions within Georgian politics. While Georgian Dream consolidates its majority, the refusal of opposition parties to participate in parliament raises questions about the legislative body’s legitimacy and functionality.
This situation not only casts a shadow over the XI convocation but also sets the stage for further political and legal challenges in the weeks to come.
