Thematic parliamentary inquiries were discussed at an information session today, organised by the Parliament of Georgia with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Government of Sweden and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). First Deputy Speaker, Tamar Chugoshvili, met with representatives of civil society and international organisations to present advantages of this new parliamentary practice and the related procedures.

“Thematic inquiries help the Parliament engage in a constructive dialogue with the public and receive comprehensive information on the issues of public concern,” Tamar Chugoshvili said.

Boris Nadiradze, representative of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in Georgia, presented a Guide for Parliamentary Thematic Inquiries, adapted for Georgia from the Westminster model. The Guide includes the step-by-step instructions on how to conduct an inquiry cycle – select a topic, make an official announcement, collect information and evidences, organise oral hearings and a follow-up reporting.  

“Thematic inquiries are a powerful tool of parliamentary oversight which creates additional opportunities for the law-makers to work hand in hand with civil society and citizens,” said Munkhtuya Altangerel, Deputy Head of UNDP in Georgia. “UNDP and the Government of Sweden will continue supporting the Parliament of Georgia in this important area of the parliamentary reform.”

The new Rules of Procedure has introduced the expanded oversight mechanisms aligned with the changes in Georgia’s Constitution and the increased role of the Parliament. Thematic inquiries are part of these new regulations endorsed by the Parliament of Georgia in December 2018.

The Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources was the first to pilot a thematic inquiry in 2018 to examine the quality of atmospheric air in Tbilisi.

By March 2019, the Parliament of Georgia has already launched six thematicinquires on different topics.

Media contact

• Madona Nozadze, Parliament of Georgia, mnozadze@parliament.ge
• Sophie Tchitchinadze, UNDP in Georgia, +995 599 196907, sophie.tchitchinadze@undp.org
• Irina Sulava, UNDP in Georgia, +995 579 105, irine.sulava@undp.org