INFREQUENT MINISTERIAL VISITS TO THE PARLIAMENT SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHES THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT
The practice of summoning ministers to the fall and spring sessions has revealed that they are either not invited, or if they are, they do not bother to show up in the Parliament.
The parliamentary majority, generally speaking, does not invite ministers to committee sittings despite the urgency of an issue, and if an invitation is made by the opposition, ministers refrain from appearing in the Parliament.
The scarcity of ministerial invitations and visits undermines the institutional independence of Parliament, diminishes the overseeing function of the government, and seriously hinders democratic development. In addition, it instills the feeling in the country that the law is not equally binding to everyone.
During the fall session, only one case was reported when the committee, aka the parliamentary majority, summoned a minister to the committee meeting.
As for the spring session, the parliamentary majority failed to show any initiative to summon ministers. In contrast, during the spring session, it was the third time when opposition MPs/factions demanded to invite ministers to the committee so that they could ask questions on pressing issues, yet the ministers either showed reluctance to appear in the Parliament or the committee ignored the demand of the opposition MPs/factions and did not invite ministers.
- In February, the Minister of Finance did not appear in the Sector Economy and Economic Policy Committee. He was summoned at the request of the faction "Independent Deputies".
- In February and then again in June, Ms. Ekaterine Tikaradze, Minister of Health, did not appear in the Committee on Health and Social Affairs. She was summoned in the first case by the factions "Independent Deputies" and "Alliance of Patriots and Social Democrats" and in the second case, by the faction "Independent Deputies".
- In July, the Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration did not support the request of the faction “European Georgia - Movement for Freedom” and did not invite Mrs. Tea Tsulukiani, the Minister of Justice, to a meeting of the committee.
The ministers of finance and healthcare have grossly violated the constitution and the rules of procedure of the Parliament, which must become the basis for the impeachment of the above persons. The Democracy Index - Georgia responded to the facts in February and called on the Parliament to start the impeachment procedure. Furthermore, by refusing to invite the Minister of Justice, the Human Rights Committee violated the rules of procedure of the Parliament.
The frequency of ministerial visits to the Parliament is crucial for strengthening the parliamentary oversight, thus, the Parliament must respond effectively to each refusal of ministers to appear in the Parliament and answer questions.