**New Chairman Appointed to Georgia’s Constitutional Court**
In a move that has sparked controversy, Revaz Nadaraia has been elected as the new chairman of Georgia’s Constitutional Court. Nadaraia, 45, was appointed for a five-year term on April 16, succeeding Merab Turava in the position.
Nadaraia has a long history with the judicial system in Georgia. He previously served as Chair of the Poti City Court from 2012 to 2016, and later as a judge at the Tbilisi City Court and the Tbilisi Court of Appeal. He was also a member of the High Council of Justice from 2017 to 2020 and has served on the Prosecutorial Council since 2019.
However, his appointment to the Supreme Court in 2021 sparked strong international criticism. The move was seen as violating an EU-brokered agreement aimed at judicial reform, and was criticized by opposition groups and civil society organizations.
Nadaraia’s appointment to the Constitutional Court has also raised eyebrows, given its reputation for being influenced by the ruling Georgian Dream party. Several members of the court have been sanctioned in the past, and it has been accused of making decisions that favor the government.
**Controversial Decisions**
Under Nadaraia’s predecessor, the Constitutional Court made several decisions that were widely criticized as being pro-government. In 2024, the court rejected appeals from President Zurabishvili and over 30 former opposition MPs challenging the constitutionality of parliamentary elections. The court also rejected a bid to suspend the highly controversial Foreign Agents law.
Earlier in 2024, the court ruled that international visits by President Salome Zurabishvili without government approval were a breach of the Constitution. In 2022, the court okayed another highly contentious move by the Georgian Dream government – the abolition of the State Inspector’s Service.
**Concerns Over Influence and Independence**
The appointment of Nadaraia as chairman of the Constitutional Court has raised concerns over the influence and independence of the judicial system in Georgia. The country’s opposition groups and civil society organizations have long accused the court of being biased towards the government, and Nadaraia’s appointment is seen as further evidence of this.
As the head of the Constitutional Court, Nadaraia will be responsible for making key decisions on issues related to human rights and the rule of law. His appointment has sparked fears that the court will continue to make decisions that favor the interests of the Georgian Dream government over those of the people of Georgia.
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