Georgian Charter

File:Zourabichvili_Speech_2024.jpg on Independence Day.]]

The Georgian Charter aims to establish a temporary parliament after the October elections, holding only one session to make crucial decisions for returning the country to the path of Euro-Atlantic integration,{{Cite web |last=Fabbro |first=Robin |date=27 May 2024 |title=President Zourabichvili outlines plan for temporary government following elections |url=https://oc-media.org/president-zourabichvili-announces-plan-for-temporary-government-following-elections/ |website=OC Media |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=10 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810193600/https://oc-media.org/president-zourabichvili-announces-plan-for-temporary-government-following-elections/ |url-status=live }} followed by early parliamentary elections under free and fair conditions. A key component of the charter is that the government responsible for implementing this action plan would be appointed by the president of Georgia.{{Cite web |date=27 May 2024 |title=Georgian president introduced the "Georgian Charter" to unite all pro-Western forces. What does the charter propose? |url=https://jam-news.net/what-is-georgian-charter/ |website=JAMnews |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=10 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710144937/https://jam-news.net/what-is-georgian-charter/ |url-status=live }}

At first, Zourabichvili refused to speculate on potential prime minister candidates or election runners, emphasizing the need to focus on implementing reforms rather than on leadership positions. She urged all to reject personal political ambitions. When asked who would ensure adherence to the Charter's promises, the President stated that she, along with the Georgian people, would play a crucial role in holding parties accountable. She warned that any deviation from these principles could lead to a loss of voter confidence in the 2025 elections. Discussing the reforms, the President highlighted the necessity of judiciary reform, condemning the current "clan rule" and criticizing the court's recent suspension of her authority to appoint a member of the High Council of Justice, stating that the government's influence by this clan is so strong that it has become its "hostage."{{Cite web |date=6 August 2024 |title=President Zurabishvili Speaks Georgian Charter, Elections, GD, U.S. Aid Cuts, Ivanishvili During Press Conference with Media |url=https://civil.ge/archives/619048 |website=Civil Georgia |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807112057/https://civil.ge/archives/619048 |url-status=live }}

Salome Zourabichvili, in one of her speeches, said:

"Unity without unification! A unity solely centered on this Charter and its implementation - that is unity around the European future. Consensus on this Charter does not require or imply a single electoral list or any other mandatory political alliances. Political parties should determine their own election tactics and strategies once they have signed the Charter—that matter is not mine."{{Cite web |date=26 May 2024 |title=Speech Delivered by H.E. Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia |url=https://civil.ge/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Presidents-Speech-May-26.pdf |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711152414/https://civil.ge/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Presidents-Speech-May-26.pdf |url-status=live }}

The president believes that the October parliamentary elections should decide "not whom we vote for, but what we vote for." She stated that the upcoming 2024 elections will serve as a de facto referendum on whether Georgia wants to be a part of Europe or not.

On October 5, President Salome Zourabichvili announced in an interview that she had a candidate in mind for the position of Prime Minister if the creation of a coalition government becomes relevant. She noted that the Georgian Charter requires the Prime Minister to be selected in consultation with the President. While she did not disclose the candidate's identity, Zourabichvili emphasized that the person has no political background, which she believes is important for building public trust and reducing political polarization. She stated that she would soon begin negotiations with opposition parties that signed the charter.{{Cite web |last=ბაიდაური |first=ნინო |date=2024-10-05 |title=სალომე ზურაბიშვილი: შერჩეული მყავს პრემიერმინისტრობის კანდიდატი - Netgazeti |url=https://netgazeti.ge/news/745402/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Netgazeti |language=ka |archive-date=2024-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007170645/https://netgazeti.ge/news/745402/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=5 October 2024 |title=ზურაბიშვილი: ორშაბათიდან ქართულ ქარტიაზე ხელმომწერ პარტიებთან კონსულტაციები დაიწყება |url=https://tabula.ge/en/news/723950-zurabishvili-orshabatidan-kartul-kartiaze |website=Tabula |access-date=6 October 2024 |archive-date=8 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008060741/https://tabula.ge/en/news/723950-zurabishvili-orshabatidan-kartul-kartiaze |url-status=live }}

The Georgian Charter outlines the primary demands of Georgia's pro-Western populace.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2023 |title=CRRC: Georgian Citizens Remain Strongly Pro-Western |url=https://civil.ge/archives/526577 |website=Civil Georgia |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=27 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727015008/https://civil.ge/archives/526577 |url-status=live }} In essence, the document aims to implement crucial steps vital for Georgian integration into the EU. These steps, endorsed by the charter's signatories, are in alignment with the 9th item of the recommendations issued to Georgia by the European Council upon granting the country candidate status for European Union membership on December 14, 2023.{{Cite web |date=16 December 2023 |title=Georgia celebrates gaining EU candidate status |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/12/16/georgia-celebrates-gaining-eu-candidate-status |website=Euronews |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606075420/https://www.euronews.com/2023/12/16/georgia-celebrates-gaining-eu-candidate-status |url-status=live }}

According to the European Commission's report, Georgia needs to fulfill nine recommendations to start EU accession talks, including combating disinformation, enhancing adherence to EU foreign policy, addressing political polarization through inclusive legislative work, ensuring fair elections by 2024 with OSCE compliance, securing institutional independence for key bodies, completing judicial and anti-corruption reforms as per Venice Commission guidelines, progressing in de-oligarchization, and improving human rights protections through comprehensive strategies and engagement with civil society.{{Cite web |title=European Council conclusions, 14 and 15 December 2023 |url=https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/68967/europeancouncilconclusions-14-15-12-2023-en.pdf |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711152414/https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/68967/europeancouncilconclusions-14-15-12-2023-en.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=8 November 2023 |title=EC Spells Out Nine Steps for Georgia to Start Accession Negotiations |url=https://civil.ge/archives/568417 |website=Civil Georgia |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=17 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817002155/https://civil.ge/archives/568417 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=23 February 2024 |title=EU Commission's 9 Steps for Georgia: what should be done to strengthen Parliamentary control? |url=https://transparency.ge/en/blog/eu-commissions-9-steps-georgia-what-should-be-done-strengthen-parliamentary-control |website=Transparency International Georgia |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=10 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710180852/https://transparency.ge/en/blog/eu-commissions-9-steps-georgia-what-should-be-done-strengthen-parliamentary-control |url-status=live }}

The Georgian Charter has received some criticism for its lack of comprehensive reforms concerning self-governance, which many believe are crucial for decentralizing power and empowering local authorities. Additionally, there has been significant concern over the vagueness in the Charter regarding the selection process for the temporary parliament.{{Cite web |date=27 May 2024 |title=პრეზიდენტის "ქართული ქარტიის" ძლიერი და სუსტი მხარეები |url=https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/%E1%83%9E%E1%83%A0%E1%83%94%E1%83%96%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%94%E1%83%9C%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%AB%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98-%E1%83%93%E1%83%90-%E1%83%A1%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A1%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98-%E1%83%9B%E1%83%AE%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%94%E1%83%94%E1%83%91%E1%83%98/32965940.html |website=რადიო თავისუფლება |access-date=30 August 2024 |archive-date=7 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807114450/https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/%E1%83%9E%E1%83%A0%E1%83%94%E1%83%96%E1%83%98%E1%83%93%E1%83%94%E1%83%9C%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%AB%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98-%E1%83%93%E1%83%90-%E1%83%A1%E1%83%A3%E1%83%A1%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98-%E1%83%9B%E1%83%AE%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%94%E1%83%94%E1%83%91%E1%83%98/32965940.html |url-status=live }} Due to these issues, opposition parties For Georgia and Girchi initially declined to sign the Charter, although they expressed support for its general principles and objectives.{{Cite web |date=27 May 2024 |title=იაგო ხვიჩიას თქმით, გირჩი "ქართულ ქარტიას" ხელს არ მოაწერს |url=https://on.ge/story/129515-%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%92%E1%83%9D-%E1%83%AE%E1%83%95%E1%83%98%E1%83%A9%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%97%E1%83%A5%E1%83%9B%E1%83%98%E1%83%97-%E1%83%92%E1%83%98%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A9%E1%83%98-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9A-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%AE%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0-%E1%83%9B%E1%83%9D%E1%83%90%E1%83%AC%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A1 |website=On.ge |access-date=30 August 2024 |archive-date=28 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628043828/https://on.ge/story/129515-%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%92%E1%83%9D-%E1%83%AE%E1%83%95%E1%83%98%E1%83%A9%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%97%E1%83%A5%E1%83%9B%E1%83%98%E1%83%97-%E1%83%92%E1%83%98%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A9%E1%83%98-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9A-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A2%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%AE%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%A1-%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0-%E1%83%9B%E1%83%9D%E1%83%90%E1%83%AC%E1%83%94%E1%83%A0%E1%83%A1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=3 June 2024 |title=გახარიას პარტია პრეზიდენტის ქართულ ქარტიას არ უერთდება |url=https://tabula.ge/ge/news/718899-gakharias-partia-prezidentis-kartul-kartias-ar |website=Tabula}} However, For Georgia later reversed its decision and signed the Charter.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=გიორგი გახარიამ 'ქართულ ქარტიას' ხელი მოაწერა |url=https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/33130705.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1NWfii_W0iXYHDr3Q_EpfCJ2qoQHV20A-CptsWaeqCWCwjq-dcwPmaTrc_aem_j53OlWVCHfUNXszBxFZ8fA |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=რადიო თავისუფლება |language=ka |archive-date=2024-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923095915/https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/a/33130705.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1NWfii_W0iXYHDr3Q_EpfCJ2qoQHV20A-CptsWaeqCWCwjq-dcwPmaTrc_aem_j53OlWVCHfUNXszBxFZ8fA |url-status=live }}

The steps outlined in the Georgian Charter:{{Cite web |date=26 May 2024 |title=Georgian Charter |url=https://president.ge/index.php?m=209&news_id=2211&lng=eng |website= |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731023528/https://president.ge/index.php?m=209&news_id=2211&lng=eng |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=26 May 2024 |title=Georgian Charter - Action Plan of the President of Georgia |url=https://iccn.ge/index.php?article_id=599&clang=1 |website=ICCN}}

1. Abolition of Laws Harmful to the European Course of the Country

• Repeal laws conflicting with European standards, including the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" law and electoral code amendments.
• Amnesty for participants in politically motivated cases from the 2024 protests.

2. Liberating the Justice System and Restoring Trust

• Verify judges' integrity and investigate undocumented property origins to eliminate clan rule.
• Review politically motivated judicial decisions and reform the High Council of Justice to ensure independence and transparency.
• Implement electronic case distribution to prevent political influence and enhance the jury court's role.

3. Other Priority Reforms

• Reform the Prosecutor's Office, elect Prosecutor General with high quorum, and strengthen the Prosecutorial Council.
• Carry out fundamental reforms in the State Security Service (SSSG) and Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) to establish parliamentary oversight and prevent political influence.
• Enhance independence of the Special Investigation Service and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

4. Improving the Electoral System

• Enhance conditions for free and fair elections by reforming the Central Election Commission (CEC), lowering electoral barriers, and allowing electoral blocs and diaspora participation.

5. Creating a New Political Reality

• Commit to fulfilling these steps by the end of the first spring session following the October 26, 2024 elections.
• Prepare for snap parliamentary elections after completing the outlined reforms, with the government nominated by the President of Georgia.

{{As of|2024|08}}, political parties from the opposition as well as 5 individual MPs had signed the Georgian Charter.{{Cite web |date=6 March 2024 |title=Opposition Parties Sign Georgian Charter |url=https://civil.ge/archives/611114 |url-status=live |archive-date=19 August 2024 |website=Civil Georgia |access-date=21 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819200921/https://civil.ge/archives/611114 }}{{cite web|url=https://1tv.ge/news/nino-burjanadzis-partia-prezidentis-mier-wardgenil-qartul-qartias-uertdeba/|title=ნინო ბურჯანაძის პარტია პრეზიდენტის მიერ წარდგენილ 'ქართულ ქარტიას' უერთდება|publisher=First Channel|lang=ka|date=2024-06-03|access-date=2024-10-01|archive-date=2024-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610163041/https://1tv.ge/news/nino-burjanadzis-partia-prezidentis-mier-wardgenil-qartul-qartias-uertdeba/|url-status=live}}

class=wikitable style="font-size:95%;" ! colspan="3" | Party/Coalition ! Coalition ! Leaders ! Ideology

style="background:{{Party color|United National Movement (Georgia)}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | UNM | United National Movement | rowspan=4|Unity – National Movement | Tinatin Bokuchava | Liberal conservatism

style="background:{{Party color|European Georgia – Movement for Liberty}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | EG | European Georgia – Movement for Liberty | Gigi Tsereteli | Classical Liberalism

style="background:{{Party color|Strategy Aghmashenebeli}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | SA | Strategy Aghmashenebeli | Giorgi Vashadze | Liberalism

style="background:{{Party color|Law and Justice (Georgia)}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | LJ | Law and Justice | Tako Charkviani | Civic nationalism

style="background:{{Party color|Lelo for Georgia}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | Lelo | Lelo for Georgia | rowspan=3|Strong Georgia | Mamuka Khazaradze | Liberalism

style="background:{{Party color|Citizens (Georgia)}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | Citizens | Citizens | Aleko Elisashvili | Populism

style="background:#F87217;" | | style="text-align:center;" | FP | For the People | Ana Dolidze | Social democracy

style="background:{{Party color|Girchi – More Freedom}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | Girchi–MF | Girchi – More Freedom | rowspan=4|Coalition for Change | Zurab Japaridze | Libertarianism

style="background:{{Party color|Ahali}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | Ahali | Ahali | Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia | Liberalism

style="background:#231F20;" | | style="text-align:center;" | Droa | Droa | Elene Khoshtaria | Liberalism

style="background:{{Party color|Republican Party of Georgia}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | Republicans | Republican Party of Georgia | Khatuna Samnidze | Liberalism

style="background:{{Party color|For Georgia}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | FG | For Georgia | none | Giorgi Gakharia | Technocracy

style="background:{{Party color|European Democrats (Georgia)}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | ED | European Democrats | none | Paata Davitaia | IDP interests

style="background:{{Party color|State for the People}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | SP | State for the People | DNP | Nika Machutadze | Christian democracy

style="background:{{Party color|National Democratic Party (Georgia)}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | NDP/EDP | National Democratic Party | DNP | Bachuki Kardava | Christian democracy

style="background:{{Party color|Democratic Movement – United Georgia}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | DM–UG | Democratic Movement – United Georgia | DNP | Nino Burjanadze | National conservatism

style="background:{{Party color|Tavisupleba (political party)}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | Tavisupleba | Tavisupleba | DNP | Konstantine Gamsakhurdia | Zviadism

style="background:{{Party color|Greens Party of Georgia}};" | | style="text-align:center;" | GPG | Greens Party of Georgia | DNP | Giorgi Gachechiladze | Green conservatism

style="background:#019541;" | | style="text-align:center;" | FJ | For Justice | DNP | Eka Beselia | Judicial independence

{{Reflist}}

{{Georgian political crisis}}

Category:2024 in Georgia (country)