Georgia Celebrates 100 Years of Parliamentarism

Georgia celebrated the creation of the Constituent Assembly of the First Parliament of Georgia on March 12, 1919, marking the 100th anniversary of parliamentarism in Georgia.

The legislative body, consisting of 130 members, passed laws from 1919 until 1921, when the Red Army invaded. The Georgian Social Democratic Labour Party held 102 of the seats. By profession, 21 of the MPs were journalists and 20 were teachers.

Officials and politicians marked the occasion at an event at Rustaveli Theatre. Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Georgian Dream chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili attended the event, which included an exhibition and performance on the history of parliamentarism.

Speaking at the event, Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze underlined the historical importance of the event: “The day embodies aspiration of Georgian society to independence and democracy and reminds us that the democratic institutions in Georgia were already established 100 years ago,” said Kobakhidze.

By Amy Jones

Photo source: Parliament of Georgia