The First Plenary Meeting of Parliament

According to the order of the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and on the base of the article 51 of Georgian Constitution, it was held a Plenary Meeting of Georgian Parliament of the sixth convocation on April 22, 2004 at 12:00.

According to the regulations of Georgian Parliament, the sitting was opened by the elder Member of Parliament Eldar Shengelaia, who on his turn passed a word to the President Mikheil Saakashvili.

Mikheil saakashvili congratulated the deputies with the opening of the session. After that, he made a review of inner and foreign policy of the country. He noted that the Parliament should support the new Government in development of democratic principles and eradication of corruption in all spheres. He expressed hope that the newly elected Legislative body together with the Georgian nation will be able to unite Georgia.

In the second half of the meeting the deputies elected the Interim Mandate Commission on the Authority of MPs. After that, the Chairman of the same Commission Levan Bezhashvili made a report that was followed by the electronic registration of MPs according to the Regulations. From 235 parliamentarians 190 deputies went under registration and the quorum was mustered. The Chairman of the meeting celebrated the gathered society with the plenipotentiary membership of the Legislative body. The members of the newly elected Parliament made a solemn vow. The Anthem of Georgia was heard as well.

There were announced breaks for several times during the meeting, and the members of the Mandate Commission discussed the number of Parliamentary Factions and their stuffing.

During a break it was held a registration of Factions according to the Regulations. Mandate Commission voted and received resolution on creating the following four Parliamentary Factions:

Faction "National Movement - Democrats" - consisting of 139 Deputies, Chairperson - Maya Nadiradze;

Faction "Right Opposition - Industrialists, News" - consisting of 17 deputies, Chairman - Davit Gamkrelidze;

Faction "Majorities" - consisting of 20 deputies, Chairman - Beso Jugeli;

Faction "Independent Majorities" - consisting of 20 deputies, Chairman - Vano Chkhartishvili.

22 Deputies were not united in any of the Parliamentary Factions.

Chairperson of the Faction "National Movement - Democrats" Maya Nadiradze presented the candidacy of Nino Burjanadze for the post of Chairperson of Parliament. The deputies underwent registration and voted for the Bill to elect Nino Burjanadze as a Chairperson of Parliament. Nino Burjanadze was elected as a Chairperson of Parliament with 159 votes against one.

Nino Burjanadze welcomed the deputies and underlined the fact that the first cycle of the Revolution of Roses has ended by the Parliamentary Session. A new Parliament has been created, which should return the faith of the people - "This Parliament may be named "Parliament of Hope", - stated the newly elected Chairperson of Parliament and added that this Legislative body has to make revolutionary changes and resolutions.

"Georgia has a chance to become a member of Euro- Atlantic Structures and Developed State. The main goal of this Parliament is to create a legislative base and political culture in the country, and return the lost dignity", - noted the Chairperson of Parliament, she also thanked the deputies and wished success in the legislative activity.

The discussion of the issues foreseen by the Agenda of Georgian Parliament was held later. The Bill "On State Anthem of Georgia" was presented by the Minister of Culture, Monuments Protection and Sport - Giorgi Gabashvili. The deputies have listened to the music of the State Hymn of Georgia "Tavisupleba" that is elaborated as a anthem by Ioseb Kechakmadze according to Zakaria Paliashvili".

The Members of the Legislative body, voted for the Bill of Constitutional Changes on Limiting the Immunity of MPs, which was adopted by 182 votes against 3. It was also voted for the Bill on resigning of the Chairman of the Chamber of Control; The deputy Khatuna Gogorishvili presented information "On determining the number of Committees' stuff and confirmation of proportional representation quotas of factions in the Parliamentary Committees" - On the Resolution Bill of Georgian Parliament; It was also represented the Bill connected with the situation created in Autonomous Republic of Adjara.