On August 24, as Georgia celebrated Constitution Day, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the nation during a special event at the Presidential Palace. In his remarks, he reflected not only on the legal importance of the Constitution, but also on its deeper meaning for Georgia’s identity, its hard-fought independence, and the democratic progress the country has made over the past three decades. The Prime Minister highlighted the challenges and achievements that have shaped Georgia’s constitutional journey and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the stability and sovereignty it represents.
“The Constitution is a mirror of the state—its evolution reflects the broader journey of a nation,” he said. “This is particularly true for Georgia. Over the past 30 years, the path of Georgian statehood has closely followed the path of our Constitution, the fundamental law of our country.
“That journey has not been easy. In the first two decades, more than 30 amendments were made to the Constitution—many driven by the political interests of the ruling powers at the time. This instability had a profound impact on the country’s development. The Constitution was treated with indifference, and its frequent revisions mirrored the broader instability of the state.
“In 2016, we made a conscious decision to take a different path. We established the State Constitutional Commission with a clear goal: to develop a modern, democratic, and stable constitutional framework. Our ambition was to create a European-style constitution—one that would provide a solid foundation for Georgia’s long-term democratic development.
“I am proud to say that this goal has been fully achieved. With the adoption of the new Constitution in 2018, Georgia now has a stable constitutional framework that meets European standards and supports the democratic progress of our country.
“It is especially noteworthy that in the seven years since the current Constitution came into force, no changes have been made to its core provisions. This stability has directly contributed to the steady development of our state. It has also played a key role in preserving peace and stability across the country. Our government has not once attempted to amend the Constitution to serve narrow political interests.
“I have consistently reminded my colleagues that the process of constitutional revision is intentionally complex—requiring broad public involvement, extensive debate, and a high threshold in Parliament. This complexity reflects our respect for the Constitution and our commitment to upholding it.
“For this reason, we firmly rejected demands to include any provisions related to constitutional amendments in political agreements. Despite harsh responses from some political opponents—and regrettably, even undiplomatic reactions from certain representatives of the United States and the European Union—we stood firm. It was clear to us that such pressure aimed to undermine the dignity of our Constitution. Thanks to our principled stance, we succeeded in protecting Georgia’s national interests and constitutional integrity.
“The first article of any constitution often reflects a country’s core historical challenge. In Germany, for example, the first article affirms the right to human dignity, shaped by the tragic lessons of fascism. In Georgia’s case, the first article enshrines state sovereignty—a principle rooted in our own experience of having that sovereignty denied for much of the 20th century.
“It is no coincidence that “state sovereignty” opens our Constitution. For decades, safeguarding our independence has been Georgia’s central struggle. And today, the Constitution continues to serve as the primary guarantor of our sovereignty.
“We must continue to protect and strengthen our Constitution—just as it protects our statehood and independence. I am confident that for many years to come—and hopefully for centuries—our Constitution will remain a steadfast defender of Georgia’s sovereignty,” the PM concluded.
By Team GT
