Georgia is a parliamentary republic. Its basic law is the Constitution adopted on 24 August 1995. The amendments of 2017–2018 moved the country from a semi-presidential to a parliamentary system. Executive power lies with the government led by the prime minister, while the president has mainly representative functions.
President
The president is the head of state and the supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Since 2024 the president is no longer elected directly by citizens but by an Electoral College of 300 members. It includes all members of parliament, members of the supreme councils of the autonomous republics of Abkhazia and Adjara, and representatives of municipal councils. The term is five years, and the same person may be elected no more than twice.
Parliament
Parliament is unicameral and has 150 members elected for four years. Since the 2024 elections all members are elected proportionally in a single nationwide constituency. Seats go to parties that receive at least 5% of the valid votes. Parliament adopts laws, gives the government a vote of confidence and oversees its work.
Government
The government conducts the country's domestic and foreign policy and is accountable to parliament. The prime minister is nominated by the party with the best election result, proposes the composition of the government and, together with it, receives a vote of confidence from parliament.
Judiciary
The Constitutional Court reviews whether laws comply with the Constitution. The common courts have three levels: district and city courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court in Tbilisi as the court of final instance. The Constitution guarantees the independence of judges. The High Council of Justice appoints judges of the common courts, and Supreme Court judges are elected by parliament on its nomination.
Administrative division
Georgia has two autonomous republics, Abkhazia and Adjara, nine regions and the capital, Tbilisi. The regions are Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Shida Kartli. The municipality is the basic unit of local self-government.
Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region (South Ossetia) are not under the control of the Georgian authorities. Georgia regards them as occupied by Russia, and most states support Georgia's territorial integrity.
International relations
Georgia has been a member of the United Nations since 1992, the OSCE since 1992, the Council of Europe since 1999 and the World Trade Organization since 2000. It is also a founding member of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The Constitution requires state bodies to work towards Georgia's full integration into the European Union and NATO. Georgia applied for EU membership in March 2022 and was granted candidate status in December 2023.
Constitution of Georgia: constcourt.ge
Parliament of Georgia: parliament.ge
OSCE PA, 2024 parliamentary elections: oscepa.org