Givi Mikanadze, MP from the Georgian Dream, confirmed consultations with the Patriarchate to “further promote the role” of the religious institution in the country’s constitution.

“We see a completely unfair and deliberate campaign by unspecified forces targeting both the Church and state institutions. The consultations with the Patriarchate are intended to reflect the Church’s role more prominently in the constitution. The initiative solely aimed to strengthen the Church’s position without limiting its independence.

Ahead of the October 26 elections the Georgian Dream sought to achieve some objectives. These include 4 goals included potential prosecution of the United National Movement party, the previous ruling force, for alleged crimes during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, addressing the country’s territorial integrity, combating LGBT propaganda, and a fourth goal related to the consultations with the Patriarchate.

The consultations focus solely on enhancing the Georgian Orthodox Church’s position in the constitution and acknowledging its historical and cultural significance”, - explained Givi Mikanadze.

His comments followed recent reports that said the ruling party had proposed declaring Orthodoxy as the state religion.