"Georgian Dream's changes to the Local Self-Government Code are geared squarely at undermining the councils rather than enhancing local self-government. The opposition councils are subject to this", - Ana Tsitlidze, a member of the "United National Movement – United Opposition "Strength is in Unity" stated at today’s briefing.

As Ana Tsitlidze pointed out, according to the current version of the law, if the city council fails to implement the budget twice in a row, there emerges the responsibility of the mayor and his re-election.

However, according to the MP, the proposed change implies the responsibility of the City Council, not the mayor.

"The only goal of the modifications is to give the administration more power over the opposition City Councils and the ability to dissolve them if they disagree with the budget. Although we disagree with the municipalities' budget planning process, we are a responsible opposition and we will never jeopardize the requirements of the local municipality and the populace for the sake of narrow party interests. As a result, the threat that the Georgian Dream is concerned about is unfounded. I want the Association of Local Self-Governments to comment on these developments in light of the fact that it is this group that ought to be the major guarantor of local self-governments in this nation. I also urge the Georgian Dream not to accept these changes in this manner since it will hinder the nation's decentralization efforts. Think without regard to limited party objectives, I say. The City Council and the Mayor should both bear responsibility for failing to implement the budget”, - Ana Tsitlidze remarked.