Draft:Georgian Charter

The Georgian Charter (Georgian: ქართული ქარტია) is an action plan presented by President Salome Zourabichvili In response to the protests against foreign agents bill. The goal of the charter is to unite the pro-Western opposition under one symbolic banner as a counterweight to the pro-Russian government of Georgian Dream in the parliamentary elections on October 26. Salome Zourabichvili announced the “Georgian Charter” on May 26, Georgia’s Independence Day.

Opposition parties UNM, Strategy Aghmashenebeli, Ahali, Lelo, European Georgia, Girchi – More Freedom, Droa, Citizens, For the People and Republican Party have joined the Georgian Charter presented by the president.

Aims

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, 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 will be appointed by the president of Georgia.

“This is unity without unification, unity solely around this charter and its implementation, i.e., around a European future. This agreement does not require or imply a unified electoral list or any other necessary political alliances. After signing this joint charter, the parties must determine their own electoral strategies and tactics,” said President Salome Zourabichvili.

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.

Content

The Georgian Charter outlines the primary demands of Georgia's pro-Western populace. In essence and spirit, the document aims to implement crucial steps of existential significance for modern society. 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.

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.

Here are the steps outlined in the Georgian Charter:

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 Supreme 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 Agency.

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.