On 19 March 2024, the Parliament overrode the President’s reasoned objections to the amendments to the Election Code and the Rules of Procedure of Parliament which were adopted by the Georgian Dream majority recently and which flagrantly defy [1] the Venice Commission’s and the ODIHR’s recommendations [2] concerning the election of the Central Election Commission chairperson and the non-partisan members.

Thus, by overriding the presidential veto, the Georgian Dream-controlled Parliament deliberately missed virtually the last chance to fulfill before the 2024 elections the European Commission’s requirements [3] spelled out in relation to the upcoming elections which, inter alia, include the EU’s call on the Georgian authorities to finalise electoral reforms, fully address OSCE/ODIHR recommendations and ensure institutional independence and impartiality of the Election Administration.

Georgian Dream’s this move cannot be assessed otherwise but another stumbling block on Georgia’s way towards European integration.

Transparency International Georgia

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association