Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

The new Georgian parliament formed after a recent legislative poll held its first session on Sunday.

In accordance with the constitutional amendments, passed in July 2011, the parliament's first session was held in Kutaisi, not in the capital Tbilisi.

The Central Election Commission on October 19 officially announced the final results of the October 1 election, which formed Georgia's legislature of the eighth convocation.

Opposition coalition Georgian Dream, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, won the election, and secured a 85-seat majority in the 150-seat legislature, surpassing President Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement. Saakashvili, who will remain president until his current term ends in October 2013, last Wednesday nominated Ivanishvili as a candidate for the post of prime minister in the next cabinet.

President Saakashvili, opening the first parliamentary session, welcomed the new government staff and praised a system which changed the power through elections, not protests and violence.

Saakashvili called on MPs to cooperate in further state-building, to build something new and to deliver on the promises, rather than engage in destructive activity. He urged the parliamentary minority to support the government on the issues related to the country's development and to avoid major differences.

Saakashvili said that the walls of the parliament in Kutaisi are made of glass, which will enable MPs to watch rallies taking place near the parliament and respond adequately. "Today, it is time for objections in the interests of our country's development," he said.

The authorized committee recognized mandates of all 150 members of the Georgian parliament, who afterwards pledged allegiance to the country. The anthem of Georgia was performed.

The Georgian president authorized the oldest member of the parliament, Ivan Kiguradze, to preside the first session.

The Georgian lawmakers elected David Usupashvili, a representative of Georgian Dream, the parliamentary chairman.

"The people did not know their representatives in parliament and therefore had problems," Usupashvili said. "We should not allow a voter to get separated from those elected, and people should accept and understand that this parliament is a real reflection of their interests, position and concerns. This being said, I'm sure that the new parliament will appreciate our work after four years and I believe that we can strengthen the legislative power in Georgia. All parliamentary elections in Georgia were historical, but the role of the 2012 election was special."

Deputy speakers were also elected at the first sitting of the Georgian parliament. The leader of Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia, Manana Kobakhidze, became the first deputy speaker of parliament after her candidacy was supported by 92 MPs. Leader of the Conservative Party Zviad Dzidziguri and a representative of Free Democrats, Zurab Abashidze, became deputy speakers elected from the majority. Murman Dumbadze became deputy speaker from Ajaria, and former Georgian State Minister for European Integration Giorgi Baramidze became deputy speaker from the parliamentary minority.

The Georgian parliament also elected chairmen of 15 parliamentary committees -- all representing the parliamentary majority of Georgian Dream, in accordance with the regulations.

The Georgian parliament will approve the new government on Thursday, October 25, newly elected parliamentary speaker Usupashvili said.

"The committees and factions will consider the new composition of the government and candidates for the posts of ministers," he said.

President Saakashvili submitted to parliament a new staff of the Cabinet of Ministers and a governmental program for approval upon a recommendation of Prime Minister nominee Ivanishvili.

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