Local Government Reforms

The government of Georgia is to begin working on local government reforms. Stronger local authorities, direct financing and elections of the mayors – prime-ministerial aide Irakli Melashvili states that the legislation will afford the towns where the population exceeds 15 000 self-governing powers. Additionally, public councils are to be established in villages, which will be run parallel to the governor’s institution. According to Mr. Melashvili, the new legislation will contribute to the decentralisation of powers and the strengthening of local government units. The code has already received the government’s approval, and has been passed to the Parliament for reviewing.