Anri Okhanashvili Elected as Parliament’s Legal Issues Committee Chair

Ruling Georgian Dream (GD) MP Anri Okhanashvili was elected as the Chairman of the Committee of Legal Issues on February 5.

126 MPs were present in the session hall during the vote. 98 MPs supported Okhanashvili's candidacy and four voted against.

The post became vacant after MP Eka Beselia stepped down from the post on December 27. Beselia noted that her deputy chairperson, Vano Zardiashvili, would also be stepping down.

“I hope that the Legislative Affairs Committee, which is a very important committee, will choose a candidate for chairperson of this committee who will be unbreakable, fair and follow values," said Beselia when resigning. Later in the day, Beselia nominated Gedevan Popkhadze for the role.

Beselia’s step sparked criticism among the ruling party MPs and the majority withdrew Gedevan Popkhadze, from the Parliament’s Committee of Legal Issues.

The GD stated Eka Beselia’s resignation from the post of a chairperson of the Legal Issues Committee had no connection with the list of the Supreme Court judges, however, Beselia herself said the controversial list of judges and its consideration in the accelerated manner by the parliament were the main reasons of her resignation.

By Thea Morrison

Related stories:

Eka Beselia Resigns Her Post as Chair of Legal Affairs Committee

Majority MP Withdrawn from Legal Issues Committee