Parliament Speaker: Georgia’s Constitution cornerstone of independence, national identity

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Sunday described the adoption of the Constitution as a pivotal moment in the nation’s history, symbolising “independence, sovereignty, freedom, maturity, and taking responsibility upon oneself”, during a speech marking Constitution Day.

In his remarks, Papuashvili highlighted the transformative events of 1995, when the Constitution was adopted, marking the foundation of the new republic.

“The adoption of the Constitution was the cornerstone upon which the new republic was built. In the autumn of the same year, elections were held in the country under the new Constitution. We introduced the national currency - the Georgian lari - and elected a President. The country embarked on a long and challenging path of building institutions, integrating into the international community, and development”, the Speaker said.

Reflecting on Georgia’s tumultuous post-Soviet history, he paid tribute to the contributions of the country’s early leaders and noted that Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Georgia’s first President, remains a historic figure for restoring and declaring the country’s independence despite conflicts and war.

“History will also assign its rightful place to the contributions of the second President, Eduard Shevardnadze, for the adoption of the Constitution and the building of state institutions. The idea and desire for independence required material embodiment, the construction of a system, and its viability. In the most challenging period, Eduard Shevardnadze successfully tackled this extremely difficult task”, he noted.

The Speaker acknowledged that Georgia’s Constitution had undergone numerous amendments and faced significant challenges over the past three decades, emphasising the importance of the 2017 constitutional reform, which refined, harmonised, and perfected the document.

“Over the past 30 years, Georgia’s Constitution has undergone numerous changes and amendments and has had to endure several harsh interventions. This is precisely why the 2017 constitutional reform was of particular importance, as it served the idea of refining, harmonising, perfecting, and completing the Constitution. The text was refined, unified, and made whole, just as the state took a breath and became human-centered”, Papuashvili said.

Papuashvili underscored the Constitution’s role as a foundational document that expresses Georgia’s national interests and defines its governance principles, frameworks, and order.

“Georgia’s Constitution has become a foundational document expressing the country’s national interests, defining the governance of the state, its principles, frameworks, and order. Georgia has established itself as a country of law and justice, in which our Constitution plays a foundational role”, he concluded.