Over the past three months approval of Tbilisi budget has become the issue of hot controversy between the majority of the City Council and Tbilisi City Hall and its supporter minority. According to the Georgian Legislation, unless the City Council approves the municipal budget within three months after adoption of the draft state budget, the government with the consensus of the Parliament of Georgia makes a resolution on pre-term termination of the authority of the City Council and introduction of the direct state governance.
Direct state governance in the relevant self-governing unit is exercised by the government appointed Mayor and government implements supervision over implementation of the direct state governance. Therefore, unless the budget of the capital is approved until March 11, the authority of the City Council will be terminated and direct state governance will be exercised until the new composition of the City Council is elected.
It should be noted that the reasons for failure to approve Tbilisi budget, voiced by the City Council, generate reasonable doubt that budgetary process is brought to the deadlock intentionally.
Resolution of the crisis is vitally important for the interest of Tbilisi residents in order to avoid obstruction of key state services. Further, dismissal of the elected City Council and introduction of direct governance is dangerous for the ongoing state’s democracy processes, especially in terms of upcoming municipal elections. Introducing of the direct state governance shortly before the 2014 municipal elections will make adverse affect on assessment of pre-election environment.
With a view to avoid the risks and to provide Tbilisi residents with quality and adequate services, we once again call on Tbilisi City Hall and majority and minority of Tbilisi City Council for constructive cooperation on budgetary issue, with a view to evade introduction of direct state governance in the capital. They should reveal adequate responsibility and assist maximally in attainment of consensus on the draft budget and on approval of Tbilisi Budget until March 11, 2014.
