The conclusion of the Venice Commission on constitutional amendments has been approved. According to the Council of Experts, it was important for the Georgian authorities to take into account the country`s transition to the proportional electoral system from 2020.

"In June 2017, after the conclusion of the Venice Commission, the Georgian political forces did not reach consensus nor did they engage in negotiations on the crucial aspects of the constitutional reform. In particular, after the Venice Commission`s assessment, the parliamentary majority decided to postpone the most important aspect of the constitutional reform - transition to the proportional electoral system for 2024 parliamentary elections. This step was condemned by all opposition parties, president and non-governmental organizations following the refusal of these parties on constitutional reform, "- the document says.

The conclusion provides a list of calls by the Venice Commission President Gianni Buquicchio regarding the importance of dialogue. The Commission is criticak that the political forces failed to agree on the constitution.

"The president of Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio said on July 25, 2017 that the solution is to find a way for achieving a broader consensus through dialogue. Negotiations between the majority and the opposition did not bring results. In a joint statement of 4 September 2017, the Georgian opposition parties emphasized that responsibility for the absence of consensus on constitutional reform is entirely on the government, while the majority accused the opposition of exceeding demands. Consequently, a meeting scheduled for September 6 in Strasbourg was canceled by Venice Commission. The Venice Commission expresses its sorrow over the outcome and reiterates its position that any major constitutional reform requires a broader consensus, "says the Venice Commission report.

The document states that a 5% threshold is a significant impediment for political forces. The conclusion also says that the bonus distribution should be fair.

"The Venice Commission strongly welcomes the promise of the parliamentary majority in the letter of September 20, 2017 to refute bonus system and accept all political parties, which cross the 5 percent limit, fully proportionate redistribution of undistributed mandates. Such a system will facilitate pluralism in parliament and be in compliance with European standards. The Venice Commission is waiting for this step not only to be reviewed but taken immediately, "- the document reads.