Opposition MP Khatia Dekanoidze said that majority’s suggestion that the opposition nominate their preferred candidates for membership of the Council of Justice by the end of the day, is an ultimatum.

“Election of independent non-judge members by a high quorum would undermine clan rule and corporatism in the judicial system, which is one of the most important recommendations of the Venice Commission.

Therefore, speaking in the language of yesterday’s ultimatum, this is not how a political process happens. We need independent members, we can’t accept talking in the language of an ultimatum.

As we agreed during the political consultations in December, another consultation, a meeting should be held to go through the candidates on whom the reform of the courts in Georgia will depend. Because the reform of the High Council of Justice is one of the most important things that our partners are talking about. Anri Okhanashvili’s position was to meet in a narrow format, in the session hall, and go through this issue.

My position is that the representatives of the opposition and the majority should go through the full list of candidates and that we ensure the selection of independent candidates, only this will be considered a reform”, - said Khatia Dekanoidze.