Georgian ruling party will be weakened by reform drive

Significance

The modified bill amends the reform plans and delays some changes until after the next presidential and parliamentary polls. It ignores objections raised by the opposition and disregards the spirit of recommendations issued on June 19 by the Venice Commission, a Council of Europe body advising on constitutional law.

Impacts

• Georgian Dream will be even more isolated and open to challenge.
• The majority party may back nationalist issues as a way of shoring up support.
• The reshaping of political opposition will give the embattled president new allies.